United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2012
Affirms that it is a vital national interest of the United States to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability and warns that time is limited to prevent that from happening. Urges increasing economic and diplomatic pressure on Iran to secure an agreement that includes: (1) suspension of all uranium enrichment-related and reprocessing activities, (2) complete cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) regarding Iran's nuclear activities, and (3) a permanent agreement that verifiably assures that Iran's nuclear program is entirely peaceful. Supports: (1) the universal rights and democratic aspirations of the Iranian people, and (2) U.S. policy to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons capability. Rejects any U.S. policy that would rely on efforts to contain a nuclear weapons-capable Iran. Urges the President to reaffirm the unacceptability of an Iran with nuclear-weapons capability and oppose any policy that would rely on containment as an option in response to the Iranian nuclear threat.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2012
Pro Football Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue not more than 50,000 $5-gold coins, 400,000 $1-silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar coins emblematic of the game of professional football. Requires all sales of such coins to include specified surcharges, which shall be paid by the Secretary to the Pro Football Hall of Fame to help finance the construction of a new building and the renovation of existing Pro Football Hall of Fame facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2012
Department of State Rewards Program Update and Technical Corrections Act of 2012 - Expresses the sense of Congress that the Department of State rewards program should be expanded to: (1) address the threat to U.S. interests from transnational criminal activity; and (2) target individuals indicted by international, hybrid, or mixed tribunals for genocide, war crimes, or crimes against humanity. Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to include in the program's purpose the prevention of acts of transnational organized crime and violations of international humanitarian law. Provides rewards for the arrest or conviction of persons involved in such activities. Eliminates program references to the reward for the capture or death of Osama bin Laden.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2012
Tax and Education Assistance for Children (TEACH) Act of 2012 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow taxpayers a credit for the tuition expenses they incur in having their dependents attend a private or religious elementary or secondary school.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2012
Condemns Iran for its state-sponsored persecution of religious minorities and its continued violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Calls for Iran to release Youcef Nadarkhani and all other individuals held or charged on account of their religion. Recognizes that religious freedom is a universal human right and a fundamental individual freedom.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2012
States that the property interest of Iran in: (1) a blocked asset shall include an interest in property of any nature whatsoever, including any direct or indirect interest in securities or other financial assets immobilized or in any other manner held in book entry form and credited to a securities account in the United States, or in any funds transfers held in a U.S. financial institution; (2) securities or other financial assets immobilized or in any other manner held in book entry form and credited to a securities account in the United States shall be deemed to exist at every tier of securities intermediary necessary to hold an interest in any such securities or other financial assets; and (3) a funds transfer shall exist at any intermediary bank necessary to complete such funds transfer. States that property of Iran shall be deemed to be property in the United States of Iran if that property is: (1) an interest, held for Iran's benefit or for the benefit of any securities intermediary that directly or indirectly holds the interest for Iran's benefit, in securities or other financial assets that are represented by certificates or are in other physical form and are immobilized, custodized, or held for safekeeping or any other reason in the United States; or (2) an interest in securities or other financial assets held in book entry form or otherwise, and credited to a securities account in the United States by any securities intermediary directly or indirectly for Iran's benefit or for the benefit of any other securities intermediary that directly or indirectly holds the interest for Iran's benefit. States that: (1) an interest in securities or other financial assets is held and credited to a securities account in the United States by a securities intermediary if the securities intermediary is located in the United States; and (2) ownership by Iran, or its central bank or monetary authority, of any property shall be deemed to be commercial activity in the United States and that property, including any interest in that property, shall be deemed not to be held for the central bank's or monetary authority's own account. Revises provisions regarding exceptions to the immunity from attachment or execution of a foreign state's property in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 2012
Capital Access for Small Businesses and Jobs Act - Amends the Federal Credit Union Act to empower federal credit unions to receive payments, representing equity, on certain uninsured non-share capital accounts, subject to such terms, rates, and conditions as may be established by the board of directors, within limitations prescribed by the National Credit Union Administration Board (Board). Requires any Board-prescribed system of prompt corrective action to take into account that credit unions rely predominantly (under current law, must rely) upon retained earnings to build net worth. Redefines "net worth" with respect to any insured credit union (other than a low-income credit union) to include non-share capital accounts, as authorized by the Board, that: (1) do not alter the cooperative nature of the credit union; (2) are uninsured; (3) are subordinate to all other claims against the credit union, including the claims of creditors, shareholders, and the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund; (4) are available to be applied to cover operating losses of the credit union in excess of its retained earnings and, to the extent so applied, will not be replenished; (5) are subject to maturity limits as determined by the Board; and (6) are offered by a credit union that is sufficiently capitalized and well-managed.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2012
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 110 Mastic Road in Mastic Beach, New York, as the "Brigadier General Nathaniel Woodhull Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 2012
Protect VA Healthcare Act of 2012 - Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to exclude veterans' medical care accounts from the maximum 2% permissible reduction in budget authority pursuant to a sequestration order.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2012
Public Transit Security and Local Law Enforcement Support Act - Amends the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 to allow grants to eligible public transportation agencies for security improvements to be used for specialized patrol teams.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 2012
Extends gratitude to the more than 1.5 million members of the U.S. Armed Forces, from both the regular and reserve components of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine, who served in Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn. Recognizes their success in operations against a dangerous and determined enemy. Recognizes the tremendous personal sacrifice of those who served in such Operations, many of whom were committed to multiple deployments, and the contributions of military families on the home front. Pays tribute to the 4,486 members who lost their lives in such Operations, and commits to honoring their memory for their courage and sacrifice.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2012
District of Columbia Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act - Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit any person from performing or attempting to perform an abortion within the District of Columbia except in conformity with this Act's requirements. Requires the physician to first make a determination of the probable post-fertilization age of the unborn child, or reasonably rely upon such a determination made by another physician, by making inquiries of the pregnant woman and performing such medical examinations and tests as a reasonably prudent physician would consider necessary. Prohibits the abortion from being performed if the probable post-fertilization age of the unborn child is 20 weeks or greater. Makes an exception where necessary to save the life of a pregnant woman whose life is endangered by a physical disorder, illness, or injury, excluding psychological or emotional conditions or any claim or diagnosis that the woman will engage in conduct intended to result in her death. Permits a physician to terminate a pregnancy under such exception only in the manner which provides the best opportunity for the unborn child to survive, unless termination of the pregnancy in that manner would pose a greater risk of the death or substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function, not including psychological or emotional conditions, of the pregnant woman than would other available methods. Prescribes penalties for violations. Bars prosecution of a woman upon whom an abortion is performed in violation of this Act, but authorizes such a woman or the father or maternal grandparent of the unborn child to obtain appropriate relief through a civil action. Provides for injunctive relief to prevent violations. Sets forth specified privacy protections in court proceedings for the woman upon whom an abortion has been performed. Requires any physician who performs an abortion within the District to report it to the Department of Health of the District of Columbia, which shall issue annual public reports.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 2012
Countering Iran in the Western Hemisphere Act of 2012 - States that it shall be U.S. policy to use all elements of national power to counter Iran's growing presence and hostile activity in the Western Hemisphere. Directs the Secretary of State to submit to Congress a strategy to address Iran's growing presence and activity in the Western Hemisphere.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 2012
Irene and Lee Tax Relief Storm Recovery Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an increase in 2012, 2013, and 2014 of the amount of the low-income housing tax credit that may be allocated in states containing counties covered by the natural disaster declaration of the Secretary of Agriculture in 2011 due to damage from Hurricane Irene or Tropical Storm Lee.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 2011
Promoting and Enhancing Cybersecurity and Information Sharing Effectiveness Act of 2011 or the PRECISE Act of 2011 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to take specified actions to protect federal information systems and critical infrastructure information systems and to prepare the nation to respond to, recover from, and mitigate against acts of terrorism and other incidents involving such systems, including: (1) conducting risk assessments of such systems, (2) fostering the development of essential information security technologies and capabilities for protecting such systems, (3) facilitating the adoption of new cybersecurity technologies and practices, (4) maintaining the capability to serve as a focal point with the federal government for cybersecurity, (5) assisting in national efforts to mitigate communications and information technology supply chain vulnerabilities, (6) leading a nationwide cybersecurity awareness and outreach effort, (6) establishing guidelines for making critical infrastructure information systems more secure, and (7) developing a national cybersecurity incident response plan. Directs the Secretary to: (1) coordinate the activates undertaken by agencies to protect such systems; (2) designate a lead cybersecurity official; (3) maintain a strategy to assure the readiness, reliability, continuity, integrity, and resilience of such systems and to protect privacy rights and civil liberties; (4) identify and evaluate cybersecurity risks to critical infrastructure on a continuous and sector-by-sector basis; and (5) review existing internationally recognized consensus-developed risk-based performance standards for inclusion in a common collection and develop market-based incentives to encourage use of such collection. Makes the Secretary responsible for making all cyber threat information available to appropriate owners and operators of critical infrastructure on a timely basis. Requires the Under Secretary for Science and Technology to support research, development, testing, evaluation, and transition of cybersecurity technology, with an emphasis on research and development relevant to attacks that would cause a debilitating impact on national security, economic security, or public health and safety. Authorizes the Secretary, to the extent necessary to carry out cybersecurity functions, to: (1) convert competitive service positions to excepted service, or establish new excepted service positions, within the Office of Cybersecurity and Communications; (2) provide additional forms of compensation for such positions; and (3) pay bonuses to retain essential personnel. Establishes the National Information Sharing Organization as a not-for-profit organization for sharing cyber threat information, exchanging technical assistance, advice, and support, and developing and disseminating necessary information security technology among private sector systems, educational institutions, state, local, and tribal governments, and the federal government. Directs the Secretary, in conjunction with the Director of National Intelligence, to facilitate the sharing of classified and declassified federal agency information related to threats to information networks with cleared members of the Organization. Authorizes: (1) a cybersecurity provider, with the express consent of a protected entity, to use cybersecurity systems to identify and obtain cyber threat information to protect such entity's rights and property; and (2) such entity to share such information with the Organization. Exempts the exchange of information between private sector members of the Organization in furtherance of Organization activities from antitrust prohibitions. Authorizes the Secretary to provide advisories, alerts, and warnings to relevant companies, targeted sectors, other government entities, or the general public regarding potential threats to information networks.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 2011
Commuter Protection Act - Amends the Surface Transportation and Uniform Relocation Assistance Act of 1987 to expand the requirement that certain bridge tolls be just and reasonable to all bridges or tunnels constructed on a federal-aid highway. (Current law applies the just and reasonable toll requirement only to bridges constructed under the Bridge Act of 1906, the General Bridge Act of 1946, or the International Bridge Act of 1972.) Requires that tolls for all such bridges and tunnels be subject to review and regulation by the Secretary of Transportation (DOT), upon complaint or the initiative of the Secretary, including with respect to increases in the amount of tolls. Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations to define, determine, and, when appropriate, prescribe just and reasonable toll rates. Requires that such regulations: (1) establish an administrative complaint process for aggrieved persons to challenge such determinations or toll rate increases on bridges or tunnels, (2) authorize the Secretary or an administrative law judge to conduct investigations and hold formal hearings on such complaints, and (3) permit complainants to seek judicial review of a final administrative determination in a U.S. district court. Directs the Comptroller General to: (1) evaluate the use of tolls by interstate authorities to maintain and improve surface transportation facilities, and (2) make recommendations to increase transparency and accountability of the funding decisions by those authorities.
United States · United States Congress · 8 December 2011
Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2011- Includes as part of the Republic of Vietnam its territorial seas for purposes of the presumption of service connection for diseases associated with exposure by veterans to certain herbicide agents while in Vietnam.
United States · United States Congress · 7 December 2011
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 787 State Route 17M in Monroe, New York, as the "National Clandestine Service of the Central Intelligence Agency NCS Officer Gregg David Wenzel Memorial Post Office."
United States · United States Congress · 29 November 2011
Multinational Species Conservation Funds Semipostal Stamp Reauthorization Act - Amends the Multinational Species Conservation Funds Semipostal Stamp Act of 2010 to require such stamp to be: (1) made available to the public for an additional four years; and (2) offered in a a choice of five versions depicting an African or Asian elephant, a rhinoceros, a tiger, a marine turtle, or a great ape.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2011
Achieving a Better Life Experience Act of 2011 or the ABLE Act of 2011 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish tax-exempt ABLE accounts to assist an individual with a disability in building an account to pay for qualified disability expenses. Defines "qualified disability expenses" to include expenses for education, a primary residence, transportation, obtaining and maintaining employment, health and wellness, and other personal support expenses. Treats a qualified ABLE program and an ABLE account in the same manner as a qualified tuition program for income tax purposes (i.e., allowing a tax exemption for such program and an exclusion from gross income of amounts attributable to a contributor to or a beneficiary of a program account). Defines "qualified ABLE program" as a program established and maintained by a state agency under which a person may make contributions to an ABLE account established to pay for qualified disability expenses. Requires amounts in ABLE accounts to be disregarded in determining eligibility for Medicaid and other means-tested federal programs. Suspends the payment of supplemental security income benefits under title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act to an individual during any period in which such individual has excess resources attributable to an ABLE account.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2011
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1449 West Avenue in Bronx, New York, as the "Private Isaac T. Cortes Post Office."
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2011
Fallen Heroes of 9/11 Act - Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the award of congressional gold medals in honor of the men and women who perished as a result of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States to the Flight 93 National Memorial in Pennsylvania, the National September 11 Memorial and Museum in New York, and the Pentagon Memorial at the Pentagon. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell bronze duplicates of such medals, with amounts received from the sale to be deposited in the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 2011
Federal Law Enforcement Pay Equality Act - Amends the Federal Law Enforcement Pay Reform Act of 1990 to revise the special pay adjustments for federal law enforcement officers in specified consolidated metropolitan statistical areas. Includes Capitol Police as law enforcement officers under such Act. Eliminates the limitation on premium pay for federal criminal investigators.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 2011
Beneficial Upgrades for Investment and Local Development of Bridges Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to issue categorical exclusions (that do not involve significant environmental impact) from the environmental assessment or environmental impact statement requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) for certain highway construction activities, including: (1) bridge preventative maintenance, rehabilitation, or replacement; (2) highway modernization; and (3) public and private utilities rehabilitation, reconstruction, and replacement.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 2011
Deport Convicted Foreign Criminals Act of 2011 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to report quarterly to Congress regarding each country that has refused or unreasonably delayed repatriation of an alien who is a citizen, subject, national, or resident of such country. Requires a report to include the aliens' detention and criminal status. Prohibits the Secretary of State, upon the passage of specified periods of time, from issuing certain nonimmigrant (including certain diplomatic) visas and immigrant visas to a citizen, subject, national, or resident of a listed country. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to notify the chief law enforcement officer of the state and of the local jurisdiction in which an alien who has been detained by the United States is released. Defines "alien" as an individual who has been detained by the United States and has received a final order of removal but has not been removed.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 2011
Rabbi Arthur Schneier Congressional Gold Medal Act - Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the presentation, on behalf of Congress, of a gold medal to Rabbi Arthur Schneier in recognition of his pioneering role in promoting religious freedom and human rights throughout the world.
United States · United States Congress · 13 October 2011
March of Dimes Commemorative Coin Act of 2011- Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue up to 500,000 $1 coins emblematic of the mission and programs of the March of Dimes. Permits issuance of such coins only during the one-year period beginning on January 1, 2014. Requires all surcharges received by the Secretary from the sale of such coins to be promptly paid to the March of Dimes to help finance research, education, and services aimed at improving the health of women, infants, and children. Subjects the March of Dimes to federal audit requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 13 October 2011
Local Flexibility for Transit Assistance Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to make urbanized area formula grants for the operating costs of equipment and facilities for use in public transportation in an urbanized area with a population over 200,000 to a designated recipient, direct recipient, or subrecipient that provides public transportation in the area operating less than 100 buses in fixed-route service in the area during peak service hours. Authorizes a designated recipient or direct recipient that operates at least 100 buses in fixed-route service during peak service hours in an urbanized area with a population of more than 200,000 to use grant funds for the operating costs of public transportation equipment and facilities in such projects if: (1) the recipients are certified by the Secretary as being in a crisis period; and (2) the recipients' percentage of revenue for the operating costs of public transportation equipment and facilities from non-federal sources (excluding system-generated revenue) is equal to the previous fiscal year's revenue, or the revenue is derived from dedicated sources. Specifies percentage limitations on the use of funds for urbanized areas with populations between 200,000 and 500,000, between 500,000 and 1 million, and over 1 million. Defines "crisis period" to mean that: (1) the unemployment rate within the recipients' service area is 7% or higher for the preceding month, or (2) the national average retail price of regular gasoline during a quarter has increased by more than 10%.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 2011
Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (HSA) to establish in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) an Under Secretary for Policy who shall conduct long-range, risk-based, strategic planning for DHS. Directs the Secretary of DHS to designate a DHS official to coordinate efforts to counter homegrown violent Islamist extremism in the United States. Provides for the Office of International Affairs within DHS to be headed by an Assistant Secretary for International Affairs (currently, by a Director) who shall establish minimum requirements for training and supporting staff who are deployed abroad. Repeals the provisions establishing the Office of Domestic Preparedness. Directs the Secretary to conduct the quadrennial homeland security review in calendar year 2013. Revises the contents of such review. Requires the Secretary to establish: (1) an Acquisition Review Board, (2) a Capabilities and Requirements Council, and (3) an Acquisition Professional Career Program. Directs the Chief Procurement Officer and the Chief Human Capital Officer to submit a five-year strategic plan for DHS's acquisition workforce. Directs the Under Secretary for Management to establish a process to provide for the independent evaluation of the integrity and quality of major acquisitions. Modifies HSA provisions regarding fusion centers to provide for a DHS National Network of Fusion Centers Initiative to establish partnerships with state and major urban area fusion centers. Directs the Secretary to: (1) assign personnel with expertise in security of mass transit systems to participating state and major urban area fusion centers located in high-risk jurisdictions, and (2) develop a comprehensive strategy for the coordinated development and deployment of information sharing computer networks of DHS. Authorizes the Secretary to convert competitive service positions to excepted service positions as necessary to carry out DHS intelligence functions. 9/11 Review Commission Act - Establishes in the legislative branch a National Commission to Review the National Response Since the Terrorist Attacks of September 11, 2001. Amends HSA to direct: (1) the Secretary to issue a biodefense strategy that establishes detailed strategic biodefense objectives for DHS's mission areas; (2) DHS's Office of Intelligence and Analysis to support homeland security-focused intelligence analysis of terrorist plans to conduct attacks against the nation involving chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear materials; (3) the Under Secretary for Science and Technology to produce a terrorism risk assessment of such threats; (4) the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assist state, local, and tribal authorities in promoting individual and community preparedness and collective response to such attacks; (5) the Secretary to carry out a program to detect a biological attack or event that poses a high risk to homeland security; (6) the Secretary to require the Under Secretary for Science and Technology to assess whether the development of technological screening capabilities for biological agents, pandemic influenza, and other infectious diseases should be undertaken by the Science and Technology Directorate to supportscreening at ports of entry and for other homeland security purposes; (7) the FEMA Administrator to develop a communications plan to provide information to the public related to such attacks; (8) the Secretary to develop response guidelines concerning weapons of mass destruction; (9) the Secretary to use the best available integrated plume models to enable rapid response activities following a chemical, biological, nuclear, or radiological attack or event; (10) the Under Secretary for Science and Technology to conduct tailored risk assessments to inform prioritization of national recovery activities; (11) the Secretary to issue guidance for cleanup and restoration of areas exposed to chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear materials; and (12) the Secretary to develop exercises that address analysis, indoor environmental cleanup methods, and decontamination standards. Amends HSA to direct: (1) the Assistant Administrator of the Grants Programs Directorate to serve as the Authorization Liaison Officer within FEMA; (2) the FEMA Administrator, the Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs, and the National Metropolitan Medical Response System Working Group to conduct a review of the Metropolitan Medical Response System Program; and (3) the Under Secretary for Science and Technology to conduct research to assist state, local, and tribal leaders and the private sector in developing the tools and methods to enhance rural preparation for and response to terrorist attacks and other incidents. Directs the Secretary to: (1) submit a comprehensive strategy for gaining operational control of the international borders between U.S. ports of entry in five years, and (2) maintain a force of not fewer than 21,300 Border Patrol agents and not fewer than 2,200 agents assigned to the northern border. Establishes in United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) a Border Enforcement Security Task Force program. Provides for a six-month pilot program to test the use of autonomous unmanned vehicles to patrol the maritime environment along the northern border and the land environment along the southern border. Directs the Secretary to issue Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Travel Cards. Establishes a Director of Operational Test and Evaluation. Authorizes a bioforensics analysis center in DHS to provide support for specified law enforcement and intelligence-related investigations and actions. Directs the Under Secretary for Science and Technology to establish a Homeland Security Science and Technology Fellows Program to facilitate the temporary placement of scientists in components of DHS with a need for scientific and technological expertise. Establishes within the Directorate of Science and Technology a Science and Technology Advisory Committee. Amends HSA to require the Director for the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office to: (1) have specified authorities and responsibilities for all radiological and nuclear research, development, testing, and evaluation programs of DHS; and (2) provide support to assist state, local, and tribal entities in implementing preventive radiological and nuclear detection capabilities. Requires the DHS Secretary to develop a five-year plan of investments necessary to implement DHS's responsibilities under the domestic component of the global nuclear detection architecture. See Something, Say Something Act of 2011 - Amends HSA to provide civil immunity to any person who, in good faith based on objectively reasonable suspicion, makes a voluntary report to an authorized official of suspicious activity indicating that an individual may be engaging in an act of terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 2011
Cormorant Management and Natural Resources Protection Act - Amends the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to delegate the authority of the Secretary of the Interior under such Act with respect to double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) to a state on the date the Secretary approves a cormorant management plan submitted by such state. Requires the Secretary to: (1) approve or disapprove a management plan within 60 days of the plan's submission, (2) approve such plan if it is in accordance with U.S. obligations under treaties and federal law, (3) provide to the relevant governor the reasons for disapproving a plan and an opportunity to revise and resubmit the plan, (4) review each approved state management plan every five years, and (5) revoke such approval and delegation if the plan or the governor's exercise of delegated authority is not in accordance with such Act or any treaty implemented by such Act. Deems a management plan approved if the Secretary doesn't approve or disapprove it within 60 days after submission. Applies an approved management plan in lieu of regulations issued under such Act. Requires the Secretary to conduct educational and informational activities for the owners and operators of aquaculture facilities to improve their efforts to prevent cormorants from consuming aquatic species being reared in such facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2011
Accelerating the End of Breast Cancer Act of 2011 - Directs the President to establish the Commission to Accelerate the End of Breast Cancer to help end breast cancer by January 1, 2020. Directs the Commission to: (1) identify opportunities and ideas within government and the private sector that are key components in achieving the end of breast cancer and which have been overlooked, yet are ripe for collaboration and investment; (2) recommend projects to leverage such opportunities and ideas in the areas of the primary prevention of breast cancer and the causes and prevention of breast cancer metastasis; and (3) ensure that its activities are coordinated with, and do not duplicate the efforts of, programs and laboratories of other government agencies. Directs the President to enter into an agreement with the Institute of Medicine for an evaluation of the Commission's progress. Terminates the Commission on June 1, 2020.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 2011
Flexibility and Access in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2011 - Amends the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to require fishery management plans, amendments, or regulations for overfished fisheries to specify a time period for ending overfishing and rebuilding the fishery that is as short as practicable (under current law, as short as possible). Modifies the exceptions to the requirement that such period not exceed 10 years. Requires consideration, in evaluating progress to end overfishing and rebuild overfished stocks, of factors other than commercial and recreational fishing. Requires, when the Secretary of Commerce extends the period under specified provisions, that the maximum rebuilding time not exceed the sum of the initial 10-year period, the expected time to rebuild the stock absent any fishing mortality and under prevailing environmental conditions, and the mean generation time of the stock. Directs Regional Fishery Management Councils to consider data on recreational fishermen when specifying annual catch limits in a fishery management plan. Authorizes the Secretary to suspend application of the annual catch limits to a fishery for any period that: (1) the fishery is neither overfished nor approaching such condition, (2) any stock previously affected by overfishing is rebuilt, and (3) scientific advice of the relevant Council committee is insufficient to ensure consistency with the national standard. Requires the fishery impact statement of a fishery management plan to address the impacts and possible mitigation measures for coastal businesses dependent on recreational and commercial fishing industries. Directs: (1) each Council to submit an annual impact statement to the Secretary describing whether each fishery management plan is projected to have any adverse economic impact (and the estimated dollar amount of any impact) on such recreational and commercial fishermen and coastal businesses, and (2) the Secretary to mitigate any such impacts.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 2011
Creating Hope Act of 2011 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to revise the priority review voucher program for tropical diseases to: (1) include rare pediatric diseases; (2) allow unlimited transfers of vouchers under the program; and (3) require a sponsor intending to use a voucher to notify the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) at least 90 days (currently, 365 days) before submission of the application. Revises provisions regarding the priority review user fee, including to make it payable upon notification of the Secretary of intent to use the voucher. Authorizes the Secretary, upon request of the manufacturer or sponsor of a new drug, to designate that a new drug is: (1) for a rare pediatric disease, and (2) an eligible treatment. Requires the Secretary to deem a rare pediatric disease product application to be incomplete if it does not contain a description of the sponsor's plan to market the product in the United States. Authorizes the Secretary to refuse to issue a priority review voucher upon the approval of a rare pediatric disease application if the Secretary finds that the sponsor lacks a good faith intention to market the product in the United States. Directs the Secretary to issue a guidance document setting forth the evidentiary support necessary to demonstrate such a good faith intention. Requires sponsors of applications under the priority review voucher program to report to the Secretary within five years after the approval of the application on the demand and distribution of the product within the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 2011
Govern Before Going Home Resolution - Prohibits either the House of Representatives or the Senate from adjourning for more than three days during a fiscal year unless, at the time the adjournment begins, the House or Senate (as the case may be): (1) has adopted a concurrent resolution on the budget for such fiscal year; and (2) has approved each regular appropriation bill for such fiscal year or, to the extent that it has not approved such a bill, has approved a continuing resolution to provide funding for the entire fiscal year for the projects and activities covered by such bill.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 2011
Northeast Corridor Rail Tunnel Safety Act - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) for Amtrak use, after the Secretary has received and approved a project engineering and financial plan, to complete New York tunnel life safety projects and to rehabilitate tunnels in Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, Maryland.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2011
Raoul Wallenberg Centennial Celebration Act - Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the presentation on behalf of Congress of a gold medal of appropriate design to the next of kin or personal representative of Raoul Wallenberg in recognition of his achievements and heroic actions during the Holocaust.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2011
Superfund Common Sense Act - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) to exclude manure from the definition of "hazardous substance" and "pollutant or contaminant" for purposes of such Act. Defines "manure" to mean: (1) digestive emissions, feces, urine, urea and other excrement from livestock; (2) any associated bedding, compost, raw materials or other materials commingled with such excrement from livestock; (3) any process water associated with such items; and (4) any byproducts, constituents, or substances contained in, or originating from, such items or any emissions relating to such items. Amends the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 to exempt from notification requirements releases associated with manure.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 2011
Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act of 2011 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Benefits) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to extend the months of coverage of immunosuppressive drugs for kidney transplant patients. Amends SSA title XVIII (Medicare) to make eligible for enrollment in Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance), solely for the purpose of such drug coverage, every individual whose insurance benefits under Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) have ended by reason of a kidney transplant or the end of any requirement for a regular course of dialysis. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to determine a monthly premium rate for such individuals equal to 35% of the monthly actuarial rate for enrollees age 65 and over. Prescribes a formula for detemination of a government contribution to such a premium.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2011
American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act of 2011 - Amends the Horse Protection Act to prohibit the shipping, transporting, moving, delivering, receiving, possessing, purchasing, selling, or donation of horses and other equines to be slaughtered for human consumption. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to detain for examination, testing, or the taking of evidence: (1) any horse at any horse show, horse exhibition, or horse sale or auction that is sore or which the Secretary has probable cause to believe is sore; and (2) any horse or other equine that the Secretary has probable cause to believe is being shipped, transported, moved, delivered, received, possessed, purchased, sold, or donated in violation of such prohibition. Increases the cap on the amount of appropriations that may be used to carry out such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 2011
Abstinence Education Reallocation Act of 2011 - Authorizes the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to award grants for qualified sexual risk avoidance education to youth and their parents. Requires such education to meet certain criteria, including: (1) being age-appropriate, medically accurate, and evidence-based; (2) having as its sole purpose the teaching of the skills and benefits of sexual abstinence as the optimal sexual health behavior for youth; and (3) teaching the benefits of refraining from nonmarital sexual activity, the advantage of reserving sexual activity for marriage, and the foundational components of a healthy relationship. Gives priority to programs that serve youth ages 12 to 19 and that will promote the protective benefits of parent-child communication regarding healthy sexual decisionmaking.
United States · United States Congress · 30 August 2011
United Nations Transparency, Accountability, and Reform Act of 2011 - Directs the President to use U.S. influence at the United Nations (U.N.) on a wide variety of issues, including to shift the funding mechanism for the regular budget of the U.N. from an assessed to a voluntary basis. Withholds up to 50% of nonvoluntary U.S. contributions to the regular budget of the U.N. unless the Secretary of State certifies to Congress that 80% of the total regular budget of the U.N. is apportioned on a voluntary basis. Requires the annual congressional budget justification to include a detailed itemized request in support of the U.S. contribution of the regular budget of the U.N. Sets forth requirements for the Comptroller General with respect to audits and investigations of U.S. contributions to the U.N. and such contributions' use by U.N. entities. Prohibits the obligation or expenditure of a U.S. contribution to any U.N. entity unless the entity has provided the Comptroller General with a transparency certification and is in compliance with such certification. Prohibits making funds available: (1) to international organizations for any purpose other than an assessed U.S. contribution to a U.N. entity or other international organization; (2) to international organizations and programs for any purpose other than a voluntary U.S. contribution to a U.N. entity or other international organization; and (3) for international peacekeeping activities for any purpose other than a U.S. contribution to U.N. peacekeeping activities, to the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), or to the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR). Directs the Secretary to withhold from the regular budget of the U.N. an amount equal to the amount of U.S. overpayments to the U.N. States that is U.S. policy to oppose any proposals on expansion of the Security Council that would: (1) diminish U.S. influence on the Security Council, or (2) include veto rights for new Security Council members. Directs the Secretary to withhold U.S. contributions from any U.N. entity that recognizes a Palestinian state or upgrades the status of the Palestinian observer mission at the U.N., the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), the Palestinian Authority (PA), or any other Palestinian administrative organization or governing entity prior to the achievement of a final peace agreement with Israel. Provides that until the Secretary makes a specified certification to Congress: (1) the Secretary shall withhold from a U.S. contribution to a regular budget of the U.N. an amount equal to the amount that would be allocated for the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), (2) the Secretary shall not make a voluntary contribution to UNHRC, and (3) the United States shall not run for a UNHRC seat. Directs the Secretary to withhold from a U.S. contribution to a regular budget of the U.N. an amount equal to the amount that would be allocated for: (1) the U.N. Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Palestinian territories occupied since 1967; and (2) any other U.N. Special Procedures used to display bias against the United States or Israel or to provide support for any member state which is subject to Security Council sanctions, under a Security Council-mandated human rights investigation, has repeatedly supported acts of international terrorism, or is a country of particular concern for religious freedom. States that it is U.S. policy to oppose any legitimization of the Goldstone Report and to lead a diplomatic campaign supporting its revocation. Prohibits funds from being used for U.S. participation in the Durban III meeting or any part of the Durban process. Withholds U.S. contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) or to any successor or related entity unless the Secretary makes specified certifications to Congress. Prohibits any U.S. contribution to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) from being used to support Technical Cooperation program assistance to any country, including North Korea, that: (1) has repeatedly supported acts of international terrorism; or (2) is in breach of, or under investigation for breach of, obligations regarding its safeguards agreement with the IAEA, the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, or any relevant Security Council resolution. Directs the Secretary to withhold from the U.S. voluntary contribution to the IAEA an amount proportional to that spent by the IAEA in 2007-2008 on Technical Cooperation program assistance to such countries. Sets forth U.S. policy regarding reform of U.N. peacekeeping operations. Directs the President to use U.S. influence at the U.N. to oppose the creation of new, or expansion of existing, U.N. peacekeeping operations until the Secretary certifies to Congress that specified peacekeeping reforms have been adopted by the U.N. Department of Peacekeeping Operations or the General Assembly.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2011
Medicare Diabetes Self-Management Training Act of 2011 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to recognize state-licensed or -registered health care professionals who are certified diabetes educators in an outpatient setting as authorized providers of Medicare diabetes outpatient self-management training services, including as part of telehealth services, under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance). Directs the Comptroller General to study the barriers that exist for Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes in accessing diabetes self-management training services under the Medicare program. Directs the Director of the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop a series of recommendations on effective outreach methods to educate primary care physicians and the public about the benefits of diabetes self-management training.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2011
New York City Natural Gas Supply Enhancement Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) issue permits to allow the planning, construction, operation, and maintenance of natural gas pipeline facilities in the Gateway National Recreation Area (New Jersey-New York); and (2) enter into a lease agreement to allow the occupancy and use of an aircraft hangar building on Floyd Bennett Field (Brooklyn, New York) to house facilities associated with the operation of natural gas pipeline facilities. Requires rent proceeds and other fees generated in connection with such lease agreement to be deposited in a special account dedicated solely for use in the Gateway National Recreation Area.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2011
National Pediatric Acquired Brain Injury Plan Act of 2011 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to make a payment for each fiscal year from FY2012-FY2018 to the State Lead Center in each state for implementation of the National Acquired Brain Injury Plan, as developed by the International Advisory Board of the Sarah Jane Brain Foundation.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2011
Father Mychal Judge, O.F.M., Congressional Gold Medal Act - Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the presentation, on behalf of Congress, of a gold medal to the next of kin or personal representative of Father Mychal Judge, O.F.M., in recognition of his example to the nation of selfless dedication to duty and compassion for one's fellow citizens.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2011
Reaffirms the U.S. arms embargo on China. Calls upon the President, consistent with the Taiwan Relations Act, to clarify his policy towards Taiwan and to reaffirm support for U.S. allies in the region. Expresses concern over China's repression of political dissidents and religious and ethnic minorities. Reasserts that it should be U.S. policy to oppose any diminution of the European Union (EU) arms embargo against China.
![Official portrait of Rep. Turner, Robert L. [R-NY-9]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/112_rp_ny_9_turner_robert_200.jpg)