The world's political record
Person
![Official portrait of Rep. Torres, Esteban Edward [D-CA-34]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/t000316_200.jpg)
United States · Official source
2,748 records where Rep. Torres, Esteban Edward [D-CA-34] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1988
Designates October 8, 1988, as National Day of Outreach to the Rural Disabled.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1988
Prohibits the proposed sale of F/A-18C/D aircraft, Cluster bomb units, and Sidewinder, Sparrow, Harpoon, and Maverick missiles to Kuwait.
United States · United States Congress · 6 July 1988
SSI Improvements Act of 1988 - Amends title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) of the Social Security Act to set the SSI income eligibility limit at the Federal poverty level and provide eligible individuals with the amount of SSI benefits needed to raise their income to such level. Increases the amount of resources individuals may possess before becoming ineligible for SSI benefits. Covers specially disadvantaged individuals who are not disabled, but meet at least two of the following criteria: (1) have attained age 50 and, throughout the five years preceding their application for SSI benefits, their earnings have been insufficient to represent substantial gainful activity; (2) are unable to read or write at at least the second grade level in their native language, or comprehend simple written instructions; (3) are homeless, or are chronically unable to function with others in a group setting and have a history of unreasonable hostility to others or the inability to obtain or hold employment due to erratic or unusual and inappropriate behavior; (4) use one or more drugs or alcohol to the ongoing detriment of their ability to obtain food, clothing, or shelter or participate in substantial gainful activity; or (5) have received SSI benefits or benefits under title IV (various family-related welfare programs) or XIX (Medicaid)) of the Act during at least 36 of the preceding 60 months. Extends the SSI program to Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa. Amends the Social Security Amendments of 1972 to repeal a program providing grants to such Territories for aid to the aged, blind, or disabled. Eliminates the one-third SSI benefit and eligibility level reductions applicable to an individual living in another person's household and receiving support and maintenance in kind from such person. Increases the SSI personal needs allowance for institutionalized recipients to $600 per year. Excludes from SSI income eligibility determinations: (1) the first $480 of an individual's annual income; (2) income earned in a month and received infrequently or irregularly, if such income does not excced $30 for the month; (3) assistance furnished for home energy conservation; (4) benefits received in kind; and (5) the first $100 of an individual's annual interest income. Treats State unemployment compensation benefits and Federal or State workers' compensation benefits as earned income for SSI purposes. Eliminates the Secretary of Health and Human Services' authority to apply the SSI benefits due to an individual for his or her first month of eligibility to the first two months of such eligibility. Provides for cost-of-living adjustments to SSI eligibility limits, income exclusions, and benefit amounts. Considers a child to be disabled, for SSI eligibility purposes if such child suffers from any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which severely interferes with activities of daily living. Establishes a presumption that any child born with a genetic or congenital condition which is extremely likely to result in disability is disabled until his or her third birthday, when a disability determination shall be made. Directs the Secretary to: (1) contract with the Institute of Medicine for the development of criteria for use in determining whether or not a child is disabled for SSI purposes; (2) publish revised child disability listings as a notice of proposed rulemaking; and (3) conduct an ongoing program of outreach to children who are potentially eligible for SSI benefits by reason of disability.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1988
Declares that all parties seeking a settlement of the conflict in Cambodia, including the United States, should have among their highest priorities the restoration of an independent Cambodia and the protection of the Cambodian people from a return to power by the Khmer Rouge. Calls on Vietnam to withdraw its forces from Cambodia and deny haven to the Khmer Rouge. Declares that the United States and the international community should use all means available to prevent a return to power of Pol Pot. Calls on the President to seek inclusion, in United Nations resolutions relating to Cambodia, the principle that those responsible for acts of genocide and human rights violations shall not return to power in Cambodia upon the withdrawal of foreign occupation forces. Encourages support of non-Communist Cambodian forces. Declares that the United States, in consultation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, should consider whether a Cambodian settlement could be facilitated by an international conference on Cambodia and international peacekeeping forces.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1988
Disadvantaged Minority Health Improvement Act of 1988 - Amends title VII (Health Research and Teaching Facilities and Training of Professional Health Personnel) of the Public Health Service Act to require that, for schools in which not less than 25 percent of the students are minorities from disadvantaged backgrounds, the Federal capital contribution and the school contribution to a student loan fund under existing provisions be used only for making loans to such students. Authorizes appropriations for Federal capital contributions to such schools for FY 1989 through 1991. Creates a new subpart relating to assistance for disadvantaged minority students. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to certain schools of health, in which not less than 25 percent of the students are minorities from disadvantaged backgrounds, for scholarships covering tuition and fees. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 through 1991. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into agreements with such students in their final year of degree programs at such schools to assist in paying Government and commercial loans for educational and living expenses. Conditions the agreement on the student and school agreeing that the student will hold a full-time faculty appointment at the school for at least two years. Authorizes loan payments of $20,000 for each year of service, to a maximum of $80,000. Authorizes the Secretary to reimburse the individual for any increase in their Federal, State, or local income taxes which results from the loan payments. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 through 1991. Amends title XVII (Health Information and Health Promotion) of the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary to establish in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health an Office of Minority Health and to appoint a Deputy Assistant Secretary of Minority Health to serve as Director of the Office. Authorizes the Secretary, through the Director, to make grants and enter into contracts to conduct programs of research, training, education, epidemiological studies, and data collection with respect to the prevention and control of diseases prevalent among minority groups. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 through 1991.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1988
Title I: Municipal Incinerator Emissions - Amends the Clean Air Act to direct the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to promulgate performance standards to control emissions of particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide, lead, cadmium, dioxins, dibenzofurans, hydrogen chloride, and mercury from municipal waste incineration units. Requires that such standards reflect the greatest degree of emission limitation achievable through application of the best available control technologies and practices. Deems specified practices and control technologies to be available. Requires that such standards be promulgated within one year of this Act's enactment, take effect within 18 months of enactment, and be reviewed and, if necessary, revised within three years of promulgation and every five years thereafter. Sets forth emission control standards which will be applicable should the EPA fail to promulgate standards. Requires the EPA to promulgate a timetable, within one year of this Act's enactment, for existing municipal waste incineration units to comply with emission control standards, taking into account the remaining useful life of the unit and the threat the unit poses to human health and the environment. Sets forth the maximum number of years which such timetable may allow for the compliance, providing more time as a unit's additional pollution control equipment costs represent a larger proportion of its capital costs. Requires owners or operators of municipal waste incineration units to monitor emissions at the point such emissions move into ambient air and at such other points as necessary to protect human health and the environment and to report the results of such monitoring. Sets monitoring standards, including ones for continuous and periodic monitoring. Sets a 20-year limit on unit permits. Provides for the termination of such a permit if: (1) the unit is not in compliance with permit terms and conditions; (2) compliance with additional conditions is necessary to protect human health and the environment, or will impose minimal costs on the unit owner or operator and reduce air emissions below levels specified in the permit; or (3) enforceable contracts for the treatment or disposal of the unit's ash for the succeeding five years do not exist. Requires that a permit be reviewed at least once every five years. Authorizes concurrent State enforcement of unit emission standards, provided such enforcement is equivalent to Federal enforcement under this Act. Requires that civil penalties imposed against municipalities pursuant to this Act be applied in support of public programs and activities that enhance the protection of the health and environment of their residents. Directs the EPA to establish a model State program, within 18 months of this Act's enactment, for the training and certification of municipal waste incinerator personnel. Requires that incinerator personnel be certified pursuant to a State or EPA training and certification program which is consistent with such program. Subjects any person engaged in the manufacture or sale of municipal waste incineration units or components who misrepresents the performance characteristics of incinerator technology or equipment to a civil monetary penalty plus costs and damages caused by such misrepresentation. Includes as major emitting facilities under the Clean Air Act municipal incinerators capable of charging more than 50 tons of refuse per day. (Currently, only incinerators charging more than 250 tons per day are included.) Title II: Solid Waste Disposal Act Amendment - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to direct the EPA to promulgate regulations, within one year of this Act's enactment, for the safe management of municipal incinerator ash. Requires that landfills into which such ashes are disposed be monofills with groundwater monitoring, two synthetic liners, an additional lower liner, a leachate collection system above all liners, and a leak detection system between the two synthetic liners. Authorizes the disposal of ash in a landfill other than a monofill if requirements more stringent than those imposed on monofills apply. Authorizes the EPA to waive the applicability of this Act's landfill design requirements to solid waste management units receiving incinerator ash if an alternative design will provide at least as effective protection of human health and the environment as such requirements. Prohibits a State from issuing a permit to any new or modified municipal waste incineration unit after 18 months after this Act's enactment unless the State prepares a solid waste management plan which provides cost-effective maximization of resource conservation and the protection of human health and the environment through solid waste reduction, source separation or control, recycling, and other measures. Prohibits the issuance of a permit to a unit unless an ash management plan demonstrating compliance with this Act's requirements has been submitted for the ash from such unit. Requires that before a new or modified unit begins operations it have sufficient capacity to treat or dispose of its ash for the succeeding five years. Directs the EPA, in developing regulations for the management of municipal incinerator ash, to issue criteria and testing procedures for identifying the characteristics of such ash which may pose a hazard to human health or the environment. Authorizes the EPA to require the owner or operator of a municipal incinerator or any facility involved in ash management to test the ash in accordance with such criteria and testing procedures. Requires that any ash which is identified as posing a hazard to human health or the environment be: (1) disposed of pursuant to this Act's requirements; or (2) treated, in accordance with regulations to be promulgated by the EPA, so as to remove the hazards associated with such ash, including the migration of hazardous constituents. Subjects facilities receiving municipal incinerator ash to a permit or other prior approval program and conditions in accordance with a State's solid waste management program. Provides public notice and the opportunity or an informal public hearing prior to the issuance of a permit to an ash management facility. Authorizes the EPA to issue a corrective action order or commence a civil action against the offending facility when there has been a release of a hazardous ash constituent. Directs the EPA to publish guidelines, within one year of this Act's enactment, identifying items or materials that should be removed from municipal waste prior to incineration in order to reduce air emissions.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1988
Palau Compact of Free Association Implementation Act - Authorizes the entry into force of the Compact of Free Association between the United States and Palau (the Compact), subject to specified determinations of approval by the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of Palau or by referendum. Directs the President to negotiate: (1) an agreement with the Government of Palau to establish an office of public auditor; (2) an agreement regarding responses to an audit by the Comptroller General of the United States or the Secretary of the Interior; (3) agreements for the establishment of an independent office of special prosecutor and for the provision of law enforcement assistance and U.S.-Palau law enforcement cooperation; (5) an agreement providing for the submission by the Palau Government of a national development plan; and (6) agreements for the provision of medical, capital improvement, and further referendum cost assistance. Directs the Secretary to: (1) provide assistance for the development and promulgation of regulations regarding expenditures; and (2) negotiate an agreement guaranteeing purchase by the Federal Financing Bank of Palau Government obligations issued to refinance indebtedness related to the Palau electric power generating and distribution system. Provides funds for construction of medical facilities in Palau and debt assistance to Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands for use of medical facilities prior to implementation of the territories' compacts. Directs the Comptroller General to conduct annual audits of assistance provided to the Federated States of Micronesia and the Marshall Islands. Extends Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, and College Work-Study assistance to students who are or will be citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, or the Marshall Islands. Authorizes the Presidents of the United States and Palau to make agreements regarding compensation for and the transfer of land for defense uses. Directs the United States to provide funds for capital improvements. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish field offices in Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands; and (2) provide sums as may be necessary for a further referendum or other costs of Compact implementation. Authorizes appropriations. Provides for continuing availability of unobligated balances of funds provided to Palau. Directs the Secretary to assist the President of Palau in implementing the requirements of the fiscal procedures and law enforcement assistance agreements and to report annually to the House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs and the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Provides a 180-day transitional rule for granting of U.S. nonimmigrant status. Amends the Act approving the Compact to provide that the authorizations for transition purposes shall decline over the first through third fiscal years after the Compact's effective date (under current law, FY 1987 through 1989).
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1988
Requires commercial lessors of automobiles to disclose to their rental customers the nature of the collision damage waivers offered under the automobile rental agreement. Mandates that such information be included in advertisements posted by such lessors. Makes violators of such disclosure requirements liable to: (1) an aggrieved lessee in an amount equal to the total amount paid by the lessee under the rental agreement; and (2) the United States for a maximum civil penalty of $10,000. Sets forth enforcement provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1988
Requires the President to provide the House of Representatives with specified documents (with respect to the assistance for Central America provided for in Public Law 100-276) concerning: (1) interpretations of such Act by the Legal Advisor of the Department of State or the Office of the General Counsel of the Agency for International Development (AID); (2) standards, procedures, and controls for the accountability of funds which have been adopted by AID pursuant to such Act; (3) the procurement outside of the United States, the receipt, and the end-use of any equipment, supplies, or other goods for the Nicaraguan democratic resistance using the funds made available by such Act; (4) funds made available by such Act for the Verification Commission established by the Sapoa Agreement of March 23, 1988; (5) the selection of, and agreements with, organizations to distribute assistance under such Act for children who are victims of the Nicaraguan civil strife; and (6) compliance with the requirements for the distribution to and use of such assistance by children.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1988
Amends the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act to require manufacturers and importers of cigarettes to place warnings on packages and in advertisements that the nicotine in cigarettes is an addictive drug.
United States · United States Congress · 2 June 1988
Urges the Government of Iran to uphold the human rights of all its nationals, including members of the Baha'i faith, and to restore fully the rights guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Calls upon the President to: (1) monitor and report on developments affecting the Baha'i minority in Iran and in other countries; (2) cooperate with other governments in continuing to make appeals to Iran concerning the situation of the Baha'is; (3) initiate and support efforts in the United Nations and its agencies on behalf of the Baha'is; and (4) provide, and urge others to provide, for refugee and humanitarian assistance for those Baha'is fleeing their homelands to escape religious repression.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 1988
Korean Veterans National Medal Act - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to design, coin, and sell a medal in honor of the members of the armed forces of the United States who served in the Korean conflict. Requires the Secretary to offer such medals for public sale at a price sufficient to cover their cost.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1988
Forest Wildfire Emergency Pay Equity Act of 1988 - Allows Federal forest firefighters to be paid overtime without limitation while serving during forest wildfire emergencies.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1988
Designates the week beginning May 21, 1989, as National Tourism Week.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1988
Designates February 1989 as America Loves Its Kids Month.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 1988
Social Security Work Incentives Act of 1988 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to reduce monthly disability benefits by 50 percent of a beneficiary's monthly earnings in excess of $85. Limits the total amount by which an individual's OASDI disability benefits may be reduced if such individual is also eligible for benefits provided under title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) of the Act to individuals who perform substantial gainful activity despite severe medical impairment. Prohibits deductions from disability-based child insurance benefits for the recovery of prior overpayments resulting from a failure to reduce such benefits on the basis of earnings. Extends to current OASDI disability beneficiaries the rule preventing reductions in the primary insurance amount for prior recipients. Continues an individual's entitlement to disability benefits while such individual is under disabled and working status, meaning that such individual is earning enough to be considered engaged in substantial gainful activity, but would otherwise continue to satisfy eligibility requirements. Sets a four-year limit on the Medicare hospital insurance eligibility (under part A of title XVIII of the Act) of individuals who owe their eligibility to their disabled and working status under the OASDI program. Amends the Medicare program to authorize such individuals to enroll for hospital insurance benefits upon the termination of such four-year limit. Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Act to cover Medicare cost-sharing amounts for individuals of disabled and working status who are entitled to enroll for Medicare hospital insurance benefits and whose income and resources do not exceed 300 percent of the Federal poverty level and the SSI resource eligibility limit, respectively. Requires States to collect a coinsurance percentage from such individuals pursuant to a sliding scale which increases such percentage from 0 to 100 percent in reasonable increments as incomes move from 150 to 300 percent of the Federal poverty level. Extends to all recipients of disability-based child's insurance benefits the rule permitting continued entitlement to Medicaid benefits of individuals who would remain eligible for SSI benefits but for their receipt of such child's insurance benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1988
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the low-income housing credit through 1990. (Under current law the credit is due to expire on December 31, 1989.)
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1988
Designates February 19 through February 25, 1989, as National Visiting Nurse Associations Week.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1988
Federal Asset Disposition Association Dissolution Act - Amends the National Housing Act to specify that the purpose of the establishment of new savings and loan associations in connection with a liquidation is to make insured accounts available to association members. Specifies that provisions of the National Housing Act shall not be construed as authorizing the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation (FSLIC) to organize a new Federal association for the purpose of managing or disposing of any assets: (1) of an insured institution for which the FSLIC has been appointed receiver; or (2) acquired by the FSLIC in order to prevent a default. Authorizes the FSLIC to delegate such liquidation functions to an appropriate regional office. Prohibits the Federal Asset Disposition Association (FADA) from engaging in any new activities after the date of the enactment of this Act. Directs the FSLIC to require FADA to assign all its rights and obligations under any contract to the FSLIC. Requires the FSLIC, within 60 days after the enactment of this Act, to revoke the charter of FADA and assume its assets and liabilities. Specifies that this Act shall not be construed as any recognition or ratification by the Congress of: (1) any authority of the FSLIC to charter FADA; or (2) any authority of FADA to act on behalf of the FSLIC. Requires the FSLIC to prepare and submit to the Congress a report describing: (1) the manner in which the dissolution of FADA was implemented; (2) the results of such dissolution; and (3) FSLIC's actions as the receiver of FADA. Specifies certain information to be included in such report. Requires the FSLIC to take such action as may be necessary to ensure that the FSLIC and all officers and employees of the FSLIC maintain full compliance with the competitive procurement requirements of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949. Requires the FSLIC to liquidate the assets of insolvent savings and loan associations in a manner which: (1) minimizes the cost to the FSLIC; (2) maximizes the return which the FSLIC realizes on the assets; and (3) encourages the use of services of persons in the private sector in managing and disposing of such assets to the maximum extent possible. Requires the FSLIC to ensure that no individuals are employed by the FSLIC under personal service contracts except to the extent that such employment: (1) does not exceed 60 days in any one-year period; or (2) is determined to be necessary because of unusual circumstances which do not allow the position involved to be filled by a civil service employee. Provides that the number of asset liquidation personnel employed by the FSLIC shall not be subject to any limitation imposed by any officer of the executive branch who is not an officer of the FSLIC. Imposes a statutory limit on the number of asset liquidation employees that may be employed at any time by the FSLIC. Requires the FSLIC to establish an employment grade structure for asset liquidation employees which is comparable to the grade structure for employees of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation who manage or dispose of assets. Requires representatives of specified Government agencies and the private sector to conduct a multiagency study on options for reducing the duplication, overlap, and inconsistency among Federal agencies and instrumentalities and for making better use of private sector resources in managing and disposing of assets. Requires that a report concerning the results of such study be submitted to the Congress within one year after the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1988
Directs the Secretary of Energy to convey to the State of California by quitclaim deed certain lands in a naval petroleum reserve if California agrees to accept: (1) all existing agreements for the operation and development of the mineral resources of such property; and (2) all restrictions applicable to such property for the purposes for which the reserve is maintained. Amends the Mineral Leasing Act to provide that money received from naval petroleum reserves shall be treated the same as money received from other public lands.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1988
Designates November 28 through December 2, 1988, as Vocational-Technical Education Week.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1988
Older Americans Child Care Employment Amendments of 1988 - Amends the Older Americans Community Service Employment Act to require the Secretary of Labor to enter into agreements with public or private nonprofit agencies or organizations for the conduct of no more than 100 experimental projects employing individuals who are age 55 or older in providing day care to children. Requires that such agencies or organizations: (1) receive one-third of their funding from non-Federal sources; (2) charge families a day care fee which is proportional to their financial resources; (3) provide day care in facilities other than private residences; and (4) be subject to the most comprehensive State licensing requirements or regulatory standards applicable to similar day care providers in the State. Prohibits the making of grants pursuant to this Act to more than two agencies or organizations in each State in any fiscal year. Authorizes appropriations for such projects.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1988
Designates June 12 through June 18, 1988, as Lyme Disease Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1988
Designates the period of July 25 through July 31, 1988, as National Week of Recognition and Remembrance for Those Who Served in the Korean War. Authorizes and requests the President to urge that the American flag be flown at half staff on July 27, 1988, in honor of those Americans who died as a result of their service in Korea.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1988
Declares that the Congress recognizes the heroic acts of civilian construction workers who participated in the defense of Wake Island during its invasion by Japan between December 8 and December 23, 1941.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1988
Amends the National Labor Relations Act to make it an unfair labor practice for an employer to hire, or threaten to hire, permanent replacement workers during the first ten weeks of any strike (or to enter into agreements for such purposes).
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1988
Designates the first week of April 1989 as National Earthquake Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1988
Expresses the sense of the Congress that Federal departments and agencies should use the most recent population data in determining the amount of benefit received by State, county, or local government.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1988
Designates specified land as the Manassas National Battlefield Addition. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to acquire land within the boundaries of the Addition and to administer such lands as part of the Manassas National Battlefield Park, Virginia. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1988
Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to reimburse physicians and medical facilities for emergency medical treatment (including any required in the course of labor and childbirth) which: (1) is rendered to an undocumented alien or an alien commuter worker who cannot pay for such service; and (2) is not reimbursable under any other public assistance program or private insurance plan.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1988
Designates January 20, 1989, as National Skiing Day.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1988
Designates October 1988 as National Down Syndrome Month.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1988
Racial Justice Act of 1988 - Prohibits the imposition or the carrying out of the death penalty in a racially disproportionate pattern. States that a racially disproportionate pattern occurs when the penalty of death is imposed: (1) more frequently upon persons of one race; or (2) more frequently as punishment for crimes against persons of one race. Provides that ordinary methods of statistical proof shall suffice to establish a racially disproportionate pattern. States that it shall not be necessary to show discriminatory motive, intent, or purpose on the part of any individual or institution. Establishes the requirements for a prima facie showing that a racially disproportionate pattern exists. States that the Government may rebut a prima facie showing by establishing by clear and convincing evidence that identifiable nondiscriminatory factors explain the racial disparities constituting the disproportion. Requires any State or Federal entity that provides for the imposition of the death penalty to collect and maintain pertinent data on the charging, disposition, and sentencing patterns for all cases of death-eligible crimes. Provides for the appointment of counsel for all indigent clients (and the furnishing of investigative and other services) for habeas corpus actions arising under this Act. Provides that no State court determination on the merits of a factual issue pertinent to a claim under this Act shall be presumed to be correct unless: (1) the State has collected and maintained the necessary death penalty data; and (2) the determination was made in a court proceeding where the defendant was afforded his rights required under this Act. States that the failure to raise such a claim before the enactment of this Act shall not bar future claims.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1988
Requires the Secretary of Commerce to ensure that each questionnaire used in a decennial census contain at least one question relating to race or ethnic origin. Requires the question to include: (1) each group identified in the 1980 decennial census; (2) at least two additional groups within the category of Asian American or Pacific Islander; and (3) a means to write in any group not specified. Requires the Secretary, in carrying out any decennial census, to tabulate and make public the general population of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders both by total and by groups.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1988
Immigration Exclusion and Deportation Amendments of 1988 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make only the following classes of aliens ineligible to receive visas for admission into the United States: (1) any alien with a communicable disease of public health significance; (2) any alien with a record of recent physical or mental disorder that poses a threat to property or safety; (3) any alien with a drug addiction; (4) any alien convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude, with specified exceptions; (5) any alien convicted of specified drug violations or involved in drug trafficking; (6) any alien who has engaged in prostitution, or procurement of prostitutes, within ten years of the date of application for U.S. entry; (7) any alien likely to be a security risk; (8) any alien who has engaged in terrorist activity; (9) any alien whose entry would endanger the lives or property of U.S. citizens living abroad; (10) any alien who participated in Nazi persecutions; (11) any alien who is likely to become a public charge, with admission on bond at the discretion of the Attorney General; (12) any alien seeking to enter the United States for the purpose of performing skilled or unskilled labor, with specified exceptions (teaching, postgraduate research, and science or arts), or in situations of insufficient U.S. workers; (13) any alien who is a graduate of a medical school not accredited by a body approved for such purpose by the Secretary of Education, with certain exceptions; (14) any excluded or deported alien who seeks readmission within one year of the excluding event, unless the Attorney General consents to such readmission; (15) any alien seeking to enter the United States by fraud or the willful misrepresentation of a material fact; (16) any stowaway alien; (17) any alien who aids any other alien in illegal entry; (18) any immigrant not in possession of a valid immigrant visa and passport at the time of admission; (19) any nonimmigrant without a valid passport authorizing the alien to return to the country from which he or she came or without a valid nonimmigrant visa or border crossing card (provides for a Guam visa waiver for pleasure or business entries of up to 15 days); and (20) any alien ineligible for U.S. citizenship, including a person who left or remained outside the United States to avoid U.S. military service in time of war or national emergency. Repeals the ideological grounds for exclusion. Directs the Attorney General and the Secretary of State to jointly develop guidelines for the review of exclusion lists and other mechanisms used to screen alien visa applicants. Requires the Attorney General and the Secretary to report jointly to the appropriate committees regarding the development of such guidelines (within one year) and the results of the review of such alien lists (within two years). Makes deportable by the Attorney General only those aliens within one of the following classes: (1) any alien who at the time of entry was within one or more of the classes of aliens excludable by then existing law; (2) any alien entering the United States without inspection or at a time and place other than as designated by the Attorney General; (3) any alien admitted as a nonimmigrant who has failed to maintain such status; (4) any alien admitted as a temporary agricultural worker (H-2A visa) whose status has been terminated (with family hardship exceptions); (5) any alien who within five years of entry knowingly and for gain has aided another alien to illegally enter the United States; (6) any alien admitted as an additional special agricultural worker who fails to show the necessary number of seasonal work days; (7) any alien who gained U.S. entry through marriage fraud; (8) any alien convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude committed within five years from the date of entry and who is either sentenced or confined for a term of one year or longer; (9) any alien who at any time after entry is convicted of two or more crimes involving moral turpitude; (10) any alien who at any time after entry is convicted of a violation of certain drug laws; (11) any alien who is a narcotic drug addict; (12) any alien who at any time after entry is convicted under weapons-possession laws; (13) any alien who at any time is convicted of violating any of various specified loyalty laws (e.g., sabotage, treason and sedition, selective service, etc.); (14) any alien who fails to comply with alien registration laws or foreign agent registration laws; (15) any alien convicted of fraud or misuse of visas or other entry documents; (16) any alien engaging in activity which endangers the public safety or national security, including terrorist activity; (17) any alien who within five years after entry has become a public economic burden; (18) any alien who has engaged in terrorist activity; or (19) any alien who participated in Nazi persecutions.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1988
Declares that U.S. interests in achieving peace in Central America would be served best by a negotiated settlement such as that embodied in the Central American peace accord (Guatemala Accord). Directs the President to terminate the sanctions imposed on Nicaragua in 1985 under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and to take other steps to restore normal economic and trade relations with Nicaragua.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1988
Designates July 2, 1988, as National Literacy Day.
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 1988
Designates September 15, 1988, as National Drug Abuse Resistance Education Day.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1988
Designates the month of October 1988 as Lupus Awareness Month.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1988
Salvadoran Foreign Assistance Reform Resolution - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the U.S. foreign assistance program for El Salvador should be revised to promote a negotiated settlement and a reduction of human suffering; (2) the ratio of assistance should be reversed in FY 1989 so that the amount spent on the war effort is only one-third of the amount spent for reform and development activities; (3) such assistance should not be distributed in a manner which would promote the interests of any particular political party; (4) such assistance should be distributed through church-related and other nongovernmental organizations and international organizations selected by the Agency for International Development; and (5) the President should report quarterly to the Congress on the restructuring of such assistance, the economic results of such restructuring, and any reports of corruption in its distribution.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1988
McKinney Housing and Shelter for the Homeless Reauthorization Act of 1988 - Amends the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act to make certain housing assistance and emergency food and shelter audits an annual requirement. (Currently only two such audits are required.) Authorizes FY 1989 and 1990 appropriations for the Interagency Council on the Homeless. Extends such Council through October 1, 1990. Authorizes FY 1989 and 1990 appropriations for the Federal emergency management food and shelter program. Authorizes FY 1989 and 1990 appropriations for the emergency shelter program. Requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to report annually to the Congress regarding the supportive housing demonstration program. (Currently only two such reports are required.) Authorizes FY 1989 and 1990 appropriations for such program. Authorizes FY 1989 and 1990 appropriations for supplemental assistance for facilities for the homeless. Increases FY 1989 and 1990 budget authority for section 8 assistance for single room occupancy dwellings. Makes religious organizations eligible (under specified conditions) to receive housing assistance under such Act or community development block grant funds under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. Requires the Secretary to issue implementing regulations. Specifies the time period for the Secretary to identify public buildings and property suitable to assist the homeless.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1988
Omnibus McKinney Homeless Assistance Act of 1988 - Title I: General Provisions - Amends the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act (the Act) to require the Comptroller General to make annual audits of Federal emergency management food and shelter and housing assistance programs. Title II: Interagency Council on the Homeless - Amends the Act to authorize appropriations through FY 1990 for the Interagency Council on the Homeless. Extends such Council through FY 1990. Title III: Federal Emergency Management Food and Shelter Program - Amends the Act to authorize appropriations through FY 1990 for the Federal emergency management food and shelter program. Title IV: Housing Assistance - Amends the Act to authorize appropriations through FY 1990 for the emergency shelter grants program. Requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to report annually to the Congress regarding the supportive housing demonstration program. Authorizes program appropriations through FY 1990. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1990 for supplemental assistance for facilities to assist the homeless. Increases budget authority for section 8 assistance (low-income housing) for single room occupancy dwellings. Makes religious organizations or organizations with religious affiliations meeting specified conditions eligible to receive housing assistance under this title and community development block grants under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. Title V: Identification and Use of Surplus Federal Property - Amends the Act to require the Secretary to identify Federal properties to use to aid the homeless within two months of collecting such information. Title VI: Health Care for the Homeless - Subtitle A: Categorical Grants for Primary Health Services and Substance Abuse Services - Amends the Public Health Service Act to limit Federal matching funds after the first fiscal year to 66-2/3 percent of service costs with regard to grants for health assistance for the homeless. (Current law provides for 75 percent Federal funding.) Authorizes the continued provision for up to 12 months of certain health (including mental health) services to former homeless persons currently living in permanent housing. Includes persons living in transitional housing within the definition of "homeless individual" for purposes of such grants. Authorizes appropriations for such grants through FY 1991. Subtitle B: Block Grant for Community Mental Health Services - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations through FY 1991 for community mental health services block grants. Subtitle C: Authorization of Appropriations for Community Demonstration Projects - Amends the Act to authorize additional appropriations through FY 1991 for mental health services for homeless persons with chronic mental illness. Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations through FY 1991 for alcohol and drug abuse treatment for homeless persons. Subtitle D: General Provisions - Sets forth effective dates for specified provisions of this title. Title VII: Education, Training, and Community Services Programs - Amends the Act to authorize appropriations through FY 1990 for the following programs for the homeless: (1) adult education; (2) education for children and youth; (3) exemplary education programs and related information dissemination; (4) job training, including a specified obligation for veterans' reintegration projects; and (5) the emergency community services homeless grant program. Title VIII: Food Assistance for the Homeless - Amends the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 to make excess Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) flour, cheese, and cornmeal available through 1990. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1990 for the temporary emergency food assistance program (TEFAP) including storage and distribution costs. Increases amounts obligated for emergency feeding organizations. Extends the termination date for such programs from September 30, 1988, to September 30, 1990. Title IX: Veterans Programs - Authorizes additional appropriations through FY 1990 for veterans' medical care, including specified amounts for domiciliary care and for chronically mentally ill homeless veterans. Authorizes additional appropriations through FY 1990 (to remain available through FY 1991) for veterans' job training. Title X: Aid to Families With Dependent Children and Related Programs - Amends part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) of title IV of the Social Security Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to reduce Federal matching aid to families with dependent children (AFDC) in a jurisdiction where substantial progress is not being made toward reducing the number of AFDC families living in commercial or similar transient accommodations. Authorizes the Secretary to approve demonstration projects through FY 1990 under which States encourage landlords to make permanent shelter available to families receiving AFDC housing assistance by paying rent for such shelter for the first year at the rate paid for comparable commercial or similar transient accommodations and for the remainder of the lease at the applicable AFDC housing allowance.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1988
Amends the Equal Credit Opportunity Act to prohibit discrimination in the provision of credit on the basis of the applicant's course of study or intended course of study.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1988
Designates May 1988 as Take Pride in America Month.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1988
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Surgeon General should declare that drunk driving is a national crisis.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1988
Medical Testing Improvement Act of 1988 - Amends title III (General Powers and Duties) of the Public Health Service Act to remove references to interstate commerce from provisions prohibiting operating a laboratory without a license issued by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Repeals provisions exempting from statutes regulating laboratories those laboratories operated by physicians, osteopaths, dentists, or podiatrists solely as an adjunct to the treatment of their own patients. Requires an annual inspection of laboratories to insure compliance with standards issued by the Secretary. Requires laboratories to qualify under a quarterly proficiency testing program established by the Secretary, including testing for each category of test which the laboratory is authorized to perform under its license. Requires the Secretary to maintain a technical and staff capacity to provide training and technical assistance to laboratories requesting such service and to laboratories which do not qualify under the proficiency testing program. Allows the proficiency testing to be performed by a private entity only if the entity meets standards established by the Centers for Disease Control. Requires the Secretary to maintain the capacity to conduct the testing. Makes laboratory licenses issued by the Secretary valid for one year instead of three years. Removes the cap on the fee for issuance or renewal of licenses. Directs the Secretary to make grants to a State which enacts laws providing for standards equal to or more stringent than under the provisions amended by this Act to assist the State in implementing the laws.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1988
Emergency Housing Assistance Act of 1988 - Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make emergency mortgage relief payments on behalf of certain delinquent mortgagors in a district when, for three consecutive months, the amount of delinquent mortgage loans exceeds a specified percentage of the amount of all loans accounted for in the mortgage delinquency series maintained by the Federal Home Loan Bank Board. Provides for the discontinuation and reinstitution of such program depending on delinquency rates. Directs the Secretary to notify the mortgagees of the institution or reinstitution of such a program in that district. Lists program eligibility conditions, including requirements that: (1) the mortgage is not federally insured under the Housing Act of 1949; (2) the mortgagor has suffered a substantial reduction in income, other than as a result of repeated or felonious misconduct, which renders the mortgagor unable to correct a mortgage delinquency or to resume full mortgage payments; (3) the average aggregate annual income of the mortgagor and family members residing with the mortgagor does not exceed a specified amount; (4) the mortgagor has cooperated with any attempt by the mortgagee to establish a reasonable repayment plan; (5) the Secretary has determined that assistance is necessary to avoid foreclosure and that it is likely that the mortgagor will be able to resume full mortgage payments within 36 months and pay the mortgage in full by its maturity date; and (6) the property serving the mortgage is a one-to-four-family principal residence. Requires each mortgagee, at least 30 days before instituting any foreclosure proceeding, to assist the mortgagor involved in applying for assistance under this Act, unless the mortgagor waives such assistance. Prohibits a mortgagee from instituting foreclosure proceedings until it receives notice of the Secretary's decision on such application. Allows a mortgagor to apply for assistance after foreclosure proceedings have begun, in which event such proceedings shall be stayed pending the Secretary's decision. Declares that failure to comply with these provisions shall be the basis of an action to enjoin a foreclosure. States that assistance payments shall: (1) be made from the Homeowners Emergency Relief Fund; (2) not exceed amounts necessary to supplement mortgagor contributions; and (3) be provided for up to 18 months, with an 18-month extension as necessary. Directs the Secretary to establish procedures for ascertaining the mortgagor's financial circumstances to determine whether such payments should be adjusted or terminated. Secures assistance payments under this Act through property liens. Directs the Secretary to: (1) provide homeownership counseling to persons assisted under this Act; and (2) approve or disapprove an application for assistance within 45 days. Establishes in the Treasury the Homeowners Emergency Relief Fund to carry out the provisions of this Act. Authorizes FY 1989 appropriations and limits expenditures for assistance under this Act. Requires the Secretary and certain Federal agencies which supervise financial institutions to: (1) encourage such institutions to exercise forbearance with respect to residential mortgages; and (2) waive or relax limitations pertaining to operations of such institutions or mortgagees with respect to mortgage delinquencies. Directs the Federal home loan banks, the Federal Reserve banks, and the National Credit Union Administration to give special consideration to advance, discount, or credit applications of the institutions or borrowers that have exercised forbearance in residential mortgage foreclosures. Requires the Secretary to report annually to the Congress regarding: (1) the rate of delinquencies and foreclosures in various housing markets; (2) the prospects of voluntary forbearance by mortgagees in such areas; (3) Government actions to encourage such forbearance and to provide assistance under this title; and (4) the default status of mortgages on multifamily properties with recommendations on curing and avoiding such defaults. Directs the Secretary to study and report to the Congress on whether the use of a mortgage delinquency series different from the one specified in this Act would be more effective. Repeals title I (Emergency Homeowners Relief Act) of the Emergency Housing Act of 1975.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1988
Supports the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should: (1) continue to provide a credible U.S. nuclear deterrent force based in Europe for the security of the United States and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies; (2) provide leadership within NATO with respect to strengthening NATO conventional forces and modernizing its nuclear deterrent forces in Europe; (3) seek verifiable conventional arms agreements leading to Warsaw Pact arms reductions in Europe; (4) continue to discuss with our NATO allies a comprehensive strategy for arms control and nuclear and conventional defense modernization in the post-INF period; (5) continue to work for verifiable strategic nuclear reductions which contribute to stability; (6) take appropriate action, including withdrawing from the INF Treaty, if he determines that the Soviets have materially violated that Treaty; and (7) propose specific procedures to resolve existing and future Soviet arms control violations.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1988
Global Poverty Reduction Act - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to direct the President to develop a plan to ensure that U.S. development assistance contributes measurably toward eradicating the worst aspects of absolute poverty by the year 2000. Requires that such plan include target dates for reaching specific measurable goals whose attainment would contribute to direct improvements in the living standards of the poorest 40 percent of the population. Specifies that such goals shall include reducing the mortality rate of infants under age five, increasing the female literacy rate, and reducing the percentages of populations below the absolute poverty level by specified amounts by the year 2000. Directs that primary emphasis of development activities to restore the renewable natural resource base shall be on small-scale, affordable, low-risk local projects featuring close consultation with, and involvement of, local people at all stages of project design and implementation. Requires the President to submit the plan to the Congress by July 1, 1989. Requires all U.S. development assistance to be directed at attaining plan goals between October 1, 1989, and December 31, 2000. Requires the President to submit annual reports to the Congress detailing progress toward achieving plan goals. Directs the Comptroller General to review and comment on each report issued. Directs the President to host an international development conference for heads of governments of development assistance donor and recipient countries by October 16, 1989, to conclude an international agreement on eliminating the worst aspects of absolute poverty by the year 2000.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1988
Imposes a civil penalty upon any person who mails to any individual or group of individuals at their place of residence: (1) any unsolicited sexually oriented advertisement; or (2) any unsolicited obscene, lewd, lascivious, indecent, filthy, or vile article, matter, thing, device, or substance.