Rep. Towns, Edolphus [D-NY-10]

Amendment sought to provide fiscal year 1993 new budget authority of $1,203.1 billion; budget outlays of $1,198.4 billion; budget revenues of $1,168.2 billion; and a budget deficit of $322.3 billion. It would have reduced defense budget authority by $49 billion in fiscal year 1993 and a total of $400 billion over 5 years.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment consisting of the text of two amendments printed in the Congressional Record of January 19 (Nos. 133 and 134), offered en bloc, to exempt from the provisions of bill all laws which regulate the conduct of States, local governments, or tribal governments with respect to matters that significantly impact the health or safety of residents of other States, and local or tribal governments.

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An amendment numbered 2 printed in Part C of House Report 109-603 to create a study that provides benchmarks for best practices and cost effectiveness for the use of Health Information Technology in medically underserved areas.

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Substitute amendment to the Coleman (MO) amendment (A023) sought to place restrictions on prisoners receiving Pell grants by specifying that Pell grants shall not be made available to a prisoner under a death sentence, serving a sentence of life without parole, not eligible for parole within five years, or classified as a "habitual criminal".

United States · United States Congress

Amendments en bloc to Title XIII, Credit. It adds the following provisions: 1) Prompt Approval of Loans and Loan Guarantees, 2) Continuation of Small Farmer Training and Technical Assistance Program, and 3) Nonsupervised Credit (under the Consolidated Farm & Rural Development Act), 4) Farm Program Appeals.

United States · United States Congress

Amendment in the nature of a substitute sought to provide unlimited compensatory and punative damages for intentional job discrimination based on sex, religion, or disability; set a difference in the definition of " business necessity" as a defense against disparate impact practices; exclude provisions in the bill establishing a Glass Ceiling Commission, and a Labor Department program regarding pay equity technical assistance; exclude language regarding hiring or promotion quotas; and amend exisiting law banning sex discrimination in all aspects of private contracts.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment numbered 53 as printed in the Congressional Record to require HUD, in developing interim housing authority performance indicators, to include as performance criteria the extent to which a housing authority has identified and acted to eradicate or control any pest problems (such as cockroach infestations) in public housing developments.

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Amendment sought to provide up to $500,000 in deposit insurance to charities and other nonprofit organizations who hold accounts in minority owned banks.

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An amendment to add the provisions specified in the Tom Davis (VA) motion to recommit with instructions.

United States · United States Congress

Hurricane Sandy Tax Relief Act of 2012

United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2012

Hurricane Sandy Tax Relief Act of 2012 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide tax benefits for individuals and businesses affected by Hurricane Sandy, including: an exemption from the gross income limitation for deducting casualty losses attributable to Hurricane Sandy; expensing allowances for Hurricane Sandy disaster expenses, disaster assistance property, and environmental remediation expenses; treatment of losses attributable to Hurricane Sandy as net operating losses; suspension of mortgage revenue bond requirements for residences located in the Hurricane Sandy disaster area; an increased charitable tax deduction for Hurricane Sandy disaster relief contributions; a special allocation of the new markets tax credit for investments in community development entities serving the disaster area; special adjustments to the earned income tax credit and the child tax credit for individuals living in the disaster area; a work opportunity tax credit for hiring employees residing in the disaster area; authorization for issuance of Hurricane Sandy bonds to finance disaster relief projects; and an additional allocation of low-income housing credits in states affected by Hurricane Sandy.

To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 815 County Road 23 in Tyrone, New York, as the "Specialist Christopher Scott Post Office Building".

United States · United States Congress · 18 December 2012

Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 815 County Road 23 in Tyrone, New York, as the "Specialist Christopher Scott Post Office Building."

Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act of 2012

United States · United States Congress · 17 December 2012

Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act Reauthorization of 2012 - Amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to submit the National Health Security Strategy to Congress in 2014. Gives the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness lead responsibility within HHS for emergency preparedness and response policy and coordination. Requires the Secretary to establish the National Advisory Committee on Children and Disasters. Reauthorizes appropriations for public health preparedness activities, including: (1) the National Disaster Medical System, (2) the public health emergency readiness of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers, (3) state and local public health security, (4) the influenza vaccine tracking and distribution program, (5) the Emergency System for Advance Registration of Health Professions Volunteers (ESAR-VHP), (6) the Medical Reserve Corps, (7) surge capacity and community and hospital preparedness, (7) public health alert communications and surveillance and public health situational awareness capability, (8) the Special Reserve Fund, (8) the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), and (9) the Strategic National Stockpile. Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to give the Secretary additional powers during a public health emergency related to: (1) the use of unapproved medical products or the unapproved use of an approved product, (2) the extension of the expiration date of eligible medical countermeasures, (3) deviations from good manufacturing practice requirements, (4) waiver of prescription requirements, and (5) waiver of requirements for a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy. Requires the Secretary to establish a formal process for obtaining scientific feedback and interactions regarding the development and regulatory review of eligible countermeasures through written regulatory management plans. Sets forth requirements regarding pediatric studies for medical countermeasures. Extends the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) exemption for specific technical data or scientific information that is created or obtained during countermeasure and product advanced research and development carried out under PHSA that reveals significant and not otherwise known vulnerabilities of existing medical or public health defenses against biological, chemical, nuclear, or radiological threats. Extends the antitrust exemption to permit meetings and consultations to discuss the development of security countermeasures, qualified countermeasures, or qualified pandemic or epidemic products.

Foster Youth Higher Education Opportunities Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 December 2012

Foster Youth Higher Education Opportunities Act - Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to inform students who indicate on their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form that they are or were in the foster care system of their potential eligibility for federal student aid, including the specific federal programs under which they may be eligible for assistance. Requires the Secretary to provide foster youth with that same information on the Department of Education's website.

Honoring and recognizing David "Dave" Warren Brubeck for his contributions in musical composition, jazz, and to the international community.

United States · United States Congress · 13 December 2012

Honors and recognizes David "Dave" Warren Brubeck for his legacy in music composition and jazz, and his contributions to the international community.

Kosher and Halal Food Act of 2012

United States · United States Congress · 16 November 2012

Kosher and Halal Food Act of 2012 - Amends the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 to provide for the increased purchase of Kosher and Halal food and to modify the labeling of the commodities list under the emergency food assistance program to enable Kosher and Halal food bank operators to identify which commodities to obtain from local food banks.

Supporting the goals and ideals of National Adoption Day and National Adoption Month by promoting national awareness of adoption and the children in foster care awaiting families, celebrating children and families involved in adoption, recognizing current programs and efforts designed to promote adoption, and encouraging people in the United States to seek improved safety, permanency, and well-being for all children.

United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2012

Supports the goals and ideals of National Adoption Day and National Adoption Month. Recognizes that every child in foster care deserves a permanent and loving family.

SIMPLE Voting Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2012

Streamlined and Improved Methods at Polling Locations and Early Voting Act or SIMPLE Voting Act - Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require each state to allow individuals to vote in a federal election on each day during the 15-day period ending two days before the election date in the same manner as voting is allowed on election day. Requires a state to ensure that each polling place which allows early voting in a federal election is located within reasonable walking distance of a stop on a public transportation route. Requires the Election Assistance Commission to issue standards for the administration of early voting in a federal election. Requires each state to provide a sufficient number of voting systems, poll workers, and other election resources (including physical resources) at a polling place used in a federal election to ensure: (1) a fair and equitable waiting time for all voters in the state, and (2) that no individual will be required to wait longer than one hour to cast a ballot at the polling place. Requires each state to develop, and implement to the greatest extent practicable, a contingency plan under which it shall provide any polling place on a federal election day whose waiting times exceed one hour with additional poll workers, machines, ballots, and other equipment and supplies, including a polling place at which individuals may cast ballots before the election date.

To award a Congressional Gold Medal to Malala Yousufzai, in recognition of her devoted service to education, justice, and equality in Pakistan.

United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2012

Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the presentation of a congressional gold medal to Malala Yousufzai in recognition of her devoted service to education, justice, and equality in Pakistan.

To establish minimum levels of assistance for certain States under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2012

Amends the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), from any appropriations for a fiscal year containing a qualifying winter season, to allot to each qualifying state, at least 25% of whose households use heating oil as the primary heating fuel, an amount that is at least the same as that allotted to the state for FY2010. Requires that allotments to states that do not qualify under this Act be ratably reduced if necessary to ensure the allotments to qualifying states. Defines a "qualifying winter season" as one occurring after enactment of this Act for which the projected average price of heating oil is greater than the average price for the winter of 2011-2012.

Digital Coast Act of 2012

United States · United States Congress · 20 September 2012

Digital Coast Act of 2012 - Defines "Digital Coast" as a constituent-driven effort led by the Secretary of Commerce, through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), to provide an enabling platform integrating geospatial data, decision support tools, training, and best practices to address coastal and emergency management issues and enhance coastal economies and ecosystem services by helping communities with cost-effective and participatory solutions. Directs NOAA to establish and implement the Digital Coast to: (1) collect data concerning coastal elevations, land use and cover, habitat and submerged aquatic vegetation, parcels, planimetrics, socioeconomics, and human use; and (2) integrate other data sources for the broadest measure of coastal resource management constituents and applications. Directs NOAA to: (1) make such data and resulting products accessible via the Digital Coast and other related Internet technologies, (2) provide training on decision support tools developed under this Act, (3) document data to Federal Geographic Data Committee standards, and (4) archive the raw data at appropriate NOAA or federal data centers. Requires coordination and data sharing with states, U.S. territories, local governments, nongovernmental entities, and other federal efforts. Requires the establishment of NOAA Coastal Services Centers to facilitate the development of products and services addressing the needs of local, state, and regional entities involved with coastal and ocean decisionmaking and to lead development and maintenance of the Digital Coast.

Condemning the discrimination, hate crimes, racism, bigotry, bullying and brutal violence perpetrated against Sikh-Americans, and all acts of vandalism against Sikh Gurdwaras in the United States.

United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2012

Condemns: (1) the commission of hate crimes against all Americans, including Sikh-Americans; and (2) acts of violence, bigotry, and discrimination against Sikh-Americans. Urges: (1) educators, counselors, and others to support educational efforts to prevent the epidemic bullying of Sikh-American children and families; and (2) the Department of Justice (DOJ) to begin documenting and quantifying hate crimes and other acts of violence perpetrated against Sikh-Americans. Expresses support for: (1) outreach efforts by federal and local law enforcement leaders to prevent violence and hate crimes against Sikh-Americans; and (2) the right of the Sikh-American community to live in peace and free from discrimination, hate crimes, bullying, and all forms of violence.

Responsible Homeowner Refinancing Act of 2012

United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2012

Responsible Homeowner Refinancing Act of 2012 - Requires the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) (government sponsored enterprises or GSEs), in carrying out the Home Affordable Refinance Program, to adopt specified criteria pertaining to: (1) borrower eligibility, (2) representations and warranties, (3) prohibition on up-front fees, (4) alternative streamlined methods to determine the value of a property, (5) the purchase or guarantee of any new mortgage resulting from the refinancing of an eligible mortgage, and (6) guarantee fees. Requires the GSEs to notify all borrowers with a mortgage owned or guaranteed by a GSE about the Program and its eligibility criteria, and inform borrowers of the website required below. Directs the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to establish a single website where borrowers may: (1) determine their potential eligibility for participation in the Program, (2) see a complete list of and links to qualified lenders, (3) use a mortgage refinance calculator to calculate potential payment savings based on different interest rates, and (4) obtain tips on refinancing their loan. Directs the Director of FHFA to issue guidance to require the GSEs to make their refinancing guidelines consistent to ease the compliance requirements of qualified lenders, and in particular with respect to loans with less than 80% loan-to-value ratio and closing cost policies of the GSEs, which regulations or guidance shall be put into effect not later than 90 days after the enactment of this Acts.

Expressing the sense of the House of Representative that the Boys & Girls Clubs of America should be commended for their unique role in improving outcomes for millions of youth and thousands of communities.

United States · United States Congress · 10 September 2012

Commends the Boys & Girls Clubs of America for their work serving youth and strengthening our communities. Recognizes the importance of high-impact youth mentoring in ensuring positive outcomes for youth of all backgrounds. Supports youth mentoring as a strategy to reduce anti-social and risky youth behavior and develop productive, contributing young adults. Encourages the Boys & Girls Clubs of America to continue and expand programs that expose young people to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). Commits to finding ways to increase the federal strategic and financial partnerships between the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and various federal agencies and departments in order to serve even more young people.

Designating a "National Month of Voter Registration".

United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2012

Urges designation of a National Month of Voter Registration to encourage every voting age citizen to register to vote, confirm their voting information with their local board of elections, confirm they have everything in hand required on election day to vote, and confirm their polling place for each day.