United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2008
United States Commission on Rebuilding America for the 21st Century Act - Establishes the United States Commission on Rebuilding America for the 21st Century to review published materials on the nation's transportation, water, energy, public lands, and housing infrastructure and assess the challenges of meeting the nation's infrastructure needs in the 21st century. Directs the Commission to submit to Congress a report that: (1) documents those challenges and articulates a national vision of infrastructure investments to overcome them; (2) contains specific recommendations on policies and investments to provide for streamlined state and local transportation investment processes, an electric grid that delivers clean, safe, and affordable energy, reductions in greenhouse has emissions, and improved transportation mobility, community health outcomes, water conservation, and public lands infrastructure accommodating user growth without degrading the environment; and (3) contains a set of model principles to ensure that future investments in the nation's infrastructure incorporate the report's findings and recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2008
Stillbirth Awareness and Research Act of 2008 - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) more states should enact legislation that allows the issuance of a Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth; and (2) the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) should increase the allocation of funds and other resources for stillbirth research. Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to establish and maintain a scientific registry of stillbirths in the United States, which shall include for each stillbirth information on the stillborn fetus and the mother's health and pregnancy as collected and submitted by states on the U.S. Standard Report of Fetal Death. Requires the Secretary to: (1) provide for the development of a standard definition of stillbirth and a standard protocol for stillbirth data collection and surveillance; and (2) carry out a national campaign to increase public and state awareness of such definition and protocol and public awareness and knowledge of stillbirths.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2008
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 101 West Main Street in Waterville, New York, as the "Cpl. John P. Sigsbee Post Office."
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2008
Encourages all citizens to join in a national effort to salute AmeriCorps members and alumni. Acknowledges the significant accomplishments of AmeriCorps members, alumni, and community partners. Encourages citizens of all ages to consider serving in AmeriCorps.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2008
Clean Boating Act of 2008 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to provide that no permit shall be required by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the national pollutant discharge elimination system for the discharge from a recreational vessel of graywater, bilge water, cooling water, weather deck runoff, oil water separator effluent, or effluent from properly functioning marine engines or for any other discharge that is incidental to the normal operation of such vessel. Defines a "recreational vessel" as any vessel that is leased, rented, or chartered to a person for that person's pleasure or that is manufactured or used primarily for pleasure, excluding vessels that are subject to Coast Guard inspection and that are engaged in commercial use or that carry paying passengers. Requires the Administrator to: (1) develop management practices for recreational vessels to mitigate the adverse impacts on U.S. waters of discharges incidental to normal vessel operation (excluding sewage) in any case in which the Administrator determines that the use of those practices is reasonable and practicable; and (2) promulgate federal standards of performance (which may distinguish among vessel types) for each discharge for which such a management practice is developed. Requires the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to promulgate regulations governing the design, construction, installation, and use of management practices for recreational vessels as necessary to meet such standards. Prohibits the owner or operator of a recreational vessel from operating in U.S. waters if such owner or operator is not using applicable management practices in compliance with such regulations.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2008
Congratulates the University of Tennessee women's basketball team for winning the 2008 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Women's Basketball Championship.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2008
Boy Scouts of America Centennial Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue up to 350,000 $1 coins in commemoration of the centennial of the founding of the Boy Scouts of America. Requires the coin design to be emblematic of the 100 years of the organization. Restricts issuance of such coins to February 8 through December 31, 2010. Subjects coin sales to a surcharge of $10 per coin. Requires payment of such surcharges to the National Boy Scouts of America Foundation, to be made available to local councils in the form of grants for the extension of Scouting in hard-to-serve areas.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2008
Thanks and promotes the teaching profession to encourage students, parents, school administrators, and public officials to participate in National Teacher Appreciation Week, May 4-May 10, 2008.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 2008
Coordinated American Response To Extreme Radicals Act - Prohibits funds from being made available for assistance to the Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia. Rescinds all amounts appropriated by the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2008 for assistance to the Carter Center, and makes rescinded amounts available for assistance to U.S. victims of terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 2008
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish in the Treasury the Homeless Veterans Assistance Fund and to allow individual taxpayers to designate on their tax returns $3.00 of income taxes ($6.00 in the case of joint returns) to be paid over to such Fund to provide assistance to homeless veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 2008
Expresses support for the goals and ideals of the Arbor Day Foundation. Requests the President to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe National Arbor Day.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 2008
Expresses support for the designation of a National Golf Day. Recognizes the recreational benefits of golf and its importance to the U.S. economy. Commends the allied golf associations for their leadership in promoting the game, their efforts to make it accessible, and their support of charitable activities in the community.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2008
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that funding for future Iraq reconstruction initiatives and training of Iraqi security forces should come from Iraqi revenues, and if the government of Iraq cannot properly allocate and spend its revenues, U.S. reconstruction and security training funding should be provided to Iraq as a loan.
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 2008
Expresses support for: (1) designation of a National Autism Awareness Month; and (2) devoting new resources to researching the root causes of autism, identifying the best methods of early intervention and treatment, expanding programs for individuals with autism, and promoting understanding of their special needs. Commends parents and relatives for providing for the special needs of children with autism. Stresses the need to begin early intervention services. Recognizes: (1) the shortage of appropriately trained teachers to teach, assist, and respond to special needs students; and (2) the importance of worker training programs tailored to the needs of developmentally disabled persons.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2008
Calls on the President to not attend the Opening Ceremony of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing until China: (1) persuades Sudan to end attacks in Darfur and allow for the full deployment of the United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur; and (2) takes steps to stop arms sales to Sudan.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2008
United States Army Commemorative Coin Act of 2008 - Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue $5 gold coins, $1 silver coins, and half dollar clad coins as numismatic items emblematic of the traditions, history, and heritage of the U.S. Army, and its role in American society from the Colonial period to today. Requires the design for such coins to contain motifs that honor specifically the American soldier of both today and yesterday, in wartime and in peace, consistent with the traditions and heritage of the U.S. Army, the mission and goals of the National Museum of the U.S. Army, and the missions and goals of the Army Historical Foundation. Restricts coin issuance to the one-year period beginning on January 1, 2011. Requires all surcharges from coin sales to be promptly paid by the Secretary to the Foundation to help finance the National Museum of the U.S. Army.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2008
Glacier National Park Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Glacier National Park in Montana, to mint and issue $1 coins emblematic of the Park, its natural features, and wildlife.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2008
Recognizes and commends the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for 50 years of service as a cultural ambassador of the United States to the world, during which it has provided world-class American modern dance to people across the globe. Recognizes that: (1) Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has been a true pioneer in the world of dance by establishing an extended cultural community which provides dance performances, training, and community programs for all people while using the beauty and humanity of African-American heritage and other cultures to unite people; and (2) the Ailey II company, the Ailey School, and the extensive and innovative Arts in Education and Community Programs train future generations of dancers and choreographers while exposing young people to the arts.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2008
Condemns the Chinese government's: (1) dispersion and detention of peaceful Tibetan protesters; and (2) policy of using the Internet and news media to control society. Expresses: (1) admiration for the spiritual leadership provided by the Dalai Lama; and (2) solidarity with the Tibetan people. Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should call upon the Chinese government to: (1) permit peaceful protest; (2) permit free news media coverage; (3) comply with Chinese criminal law and provide details about Tibetans detained or charged with a crime; (4) engage in substantive dialogue with the Dalai Lama and his representatives over Tibet's future; and (5) abide by international human rights agreements.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 2008
Communist Chinese Olympic Accountability Act - Prohibits any federal government official or employee from attending the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games held in Beijing, People's Republic of China, except for an individual who is a member of the U.S. Olympic Team or who is serving in a medical or security capacity on behalf of the Team.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 2008
Recognizes: (1) Gordon "Gordie" Howe on the occasion of his 80th birthday; (2) Howe's vast contribution to the sport of ice hockey and the National Hockey League; and (3) Howe as one of the greatest players in the history of ice hockey and American professional sports.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2008
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for investment in qualified reclamation property. Defines "qualified reclamation property" as tangible depreciable recycling or remanufacturing property with a useful life of at least five years. Limits the amount of such credit to 20% of the basis (not exceeding $10 million) of qualified reclamation property placed in service during a taxable year.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2008
Child Sexual Slavery Prevention Act of 2008 - Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to amend its sentencing guidelines and policy statements to enhance penalties for crimes involving human trafficking and slave trading, smuggling, transporting, or harboring an unlawful alien, and sex trafficking of children.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2008
Protecting the Medicaid Safety Net Act of 2008 - Amends the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Appropriations Act, 2007 to extend until April 1, 2009, the moratorium on implementation of a proposed rule ("Medicaid Program; Cost Limit for Providers Operated by Units of Government and Provisions To Ensure the Integrity of Federal-State Financial Partnership") relating to the federal-state financial partnerships under titles XIX (Medicaid) and XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act. Extends until April 1, 2009, the moratorium on any action by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to restrict Medicaid payments for graduate medical education (GME). Amends the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 to extend until April 1, 2009, the moratorium on certain restrictions relating to Medicaid coverage or payment for rehabilitation services or school-based administration and school-based transportation, including specified proposed regulations, if such restrictions are more restrictive in any aspect than those applied to such areas as of July 1, 2007. Establishes additional moratoria until April 1, 2009, on specified regulatory actions concerning Medicaid: (1) treatment of optional case management services; (2) outpatient hospital services; and (3) allowable provider taxes.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2008
Pathway for Biosimilars Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow a person to submit an application for licensure of a biological product based on its similarity to a licensed biological product (the reference product). Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to approve the application if: (1) the biological product is biosimilar to the reference product with respect to each condition of use for which the reference product is approved; and (2) the applicant consents to the inspection of the facility that is the subject of the application. Sets forth requirements for a determination by the Secretary that a biological product is interchangeable with a reference product. Prohibits a biological product from being evaluated against more than one reference product. Prohibits licensure under this Act of a biological product containing specified agents or toxins. Prohibits the Secretary from making approval of an application under this Act effective until 12 yeas after the date on which the reference product was first licensed. Provides for confidentiality of information received pursuant to this Act. Sets forth provisions governing patent infringement actions related to this Act. Deems as patent infringement the submission of a statement under this Act by the applicant setting forth reasons why the making, use, or sale of the biosimilar product would not infringe the patent, or why the patent is invalid or unenforceable, if the purpose of such submission is to obtain approval to engage in the commercial manufacture, use, or sale before the expiration of such patent.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2008
Peace Corps Reauthorization Act of 2008 - Amends the Peace Corps Act to: (1) authorize appropriations through FY2012; and (2) increase the readjustment allowance for returning Peace Corps volunteers.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2008
Credit Union Regulatory Relief Act of 2008 - Amends the Federal Credit Union Act to: (1) permit a credit union to invest in securities for its own account, subject to certain percentage limitations; and (2) increase the investment and lending limit in credit union service organizations from 1% to 3% of a credit union's total paid and unimpaired capital and surplus. Excludes credit union loans to nonprofit religious organizations from limitations placed upon member business loans. Authorizes the National Credit Union Administration Board (Board) to establish longer loan maturity dates. Directs the Board to prescribe criteria for continued membership of certain member groups in the case of certain credit union conversions to a community charter. Revises requirements for credit union membership in certain underserved areas. Empowers a federal credit union to provide short-term loans as an alternative to payday loans. Authorizes a credit union board of directors to expel a member based on just cause, including disruption of credit union operations (as well as nonparticipation, as under current law). Excludes from the meaning of member business loan subject to certain limitations (thus permitting without such limitations) any extension of credit to a member, meeting specified criteria, whose proceeds are to be used for commercial, corporate, business, farm or agricultural purposes in an underserved area. Amends the Clayton Act to exempt from its premerger notification and waiting period requirements any mergers of one insured credit union activities with another which require agency approval under the Federal Credit Union Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2008
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should take the lead in supporting the awarding of a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Membership Action Plan to Georgia and Ukraine.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2008
Recognizes the 69th Infantry Regiment, or the Fighting 69th, as one of the great regiments in American military history that has continually participated in the Global War on Terror since the attack on September 11, 2001, as it deploys to Afghanistan.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2008
Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2008 - 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 (currently, as short as possible). Modifies the exceptions to the requirement that such period not exceed ten 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 ten-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.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2008
Urges national and community organizations, businesses in the private sector, and the media to promote awareness of heat stroke through National Heat Stroke Awareness Month.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2008
Provides that, if the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) determined under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act without regard to this Act for a state for FY2008 is less than the FMAP as so determined for FY2007, the FY2007 FMAP shall be substituted for the FMAP for the third and fourth calendar quarters of FY2008, before the application of this Act. Provides that, if the FMAP determined without regard to this Act for a state for FY2009 is less than the FMAP as so determined for FY2008, the FY2008 FMAP shall be substituted for the FMAP for the first, second, and third calendar quarters of FY2009, before the application of this Act. Provides that, for each eligible state for the third and fourth calendar quarters of FY2008, and for the first, second, and third calendar quarters of FY2009, the FMAP shall be increased by 2.95 percentage points. Provides for an increase in the cap on Medicaid payments to Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa. Declares that, only for FMAP computation purposes, any significant disproportionate employer pension or insurance fund contribution shall be disregarded in computing the per capita income of a state, but not in computing the per capita income for the continental United States (and Alaska) and Hawaii.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2008
Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Community Assistance, Research, and Education Amendments of 2008 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to designate centers of excellence for research on various forms of muscular dystrophy as Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Centers. Requires the Muscular Dystrophy Interagency Coordinating Committee to give special consideration to enhancing the clinical research infrastructure required to test emerging therapies for the various forms of muscular dystrophy. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to ensure that any data on patients that is collected as part of the Muscular Dystrophy Surveillance, Tracking and Research Network (MD STARnet) is regularly updated to reflect changes in patient condition over time. Requires the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to: (1) report to the appropriate congressional committees on MD STARnet and data collection; and (2) provide prospective health outcome data on the health and survival of people with muscular dystrophy. Requires the Director of CDC, in carrying out a program to provide information and education on muscular dystrophy to health professionals and the general public, to: (1) partner with leaders in the muscular dystrophy patient community; and (2) widely disseminate the Duchenne-Becker muscular dystrophy care considerations. Requires the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to: (1) evaluate the available scientific evidence to develop and issue an initial set of care considerations for Duchenne-Becker muscular dystrophy and provide ongoing review and updates where appropriate; and (2) replicate the same methodology used to develop such care considerations as a model for other muscular dystrophies.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2008
Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission Act - Establishes the Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission to: (1) plan and carry out activities to honor Ronald Reagan on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of his birth; (2) provide assistance to federal, state, and local governmental agencies and civic groups to carry out such activities; and (3) study other federal activities to honor Ronald Reagan, including the issuance of a postal stamp, the issuance of a $1 coin for one year, and the convening of a joint session of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2008
Reaffirms the goals and ideals that formed the impetus for Albert Gallatin's national transportation plan 200 years ago. Calls on the federal government, states, localities, schools, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and U.S. citizens to mark the 200th anniversary of such plan by recalling the legacy of public investment in infrastructure that connects and enhances the economies, communications, and communities of the states. Expresses support for the creation of a new national plan to align the demands for economic development with the resources of the nation.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2008
Recognizes, celebrates, and acknowledges the goals and ideals that formed the impetus for President Roosevelt's Conference of Governors 100 years ago. Calls on the federal government, states, localities, schools, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and U.S. citizens to consider future efforts to preserve for future generations the resources that support our current well-being. Express support for the creation of a national plan to align the demands for economic development with the resources of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2008
Requests that the President issue a proclamation each year recognizing the anniversary of the birth of President Abraham Lincoln. Encourages state and local governments and local educational agencies to devote sufficient time to study and appreciate the reverence and respect Abraham Lincoln had for the significance and importance of the Declaration of Independence in the development of American history, jurisprudence, and the spread of freedom around the world.
United States · United States Congress · 17 January 2008
Stealth Tax Relief Extension Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase the exemption from the alternative minimum tax for individual taxpayers in 2008; and (2) extend through 2008 the allowance of certain nonrefundable tax credits against alternative minimum tax liability.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2007
Josh Miller Helping Everyone Access Responsive Treatment in Schools Act of 2007, or the Josh Miller HEARTS Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to award matching grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) to: (1) purchase automated external defibrillators (AEDs) for use in their schools; and/or (2) provide training to meet the requirement that at least five adult employees or volunteers at each school with an AED successfully complete training in its use and in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Requires LEA grant applicants also to demonstrate that: (1) the AEDs are integrated into the schools' medical emergency response procedures; and (2) emergency services personnel are notified of their locations.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2007
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Reform and Firearms Modernization Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to revise the civil penalties for violations of firearms law and the procedures for assessing such penalties. Revises the definition of "willfully" for purposes of firearms violations and standards for criminal violations of firearms recordkeeping requirements. Requires the Attorney General to: (1) make preliminary determinations on firearms license applications and notify applicants in writing of a proposed denial; and (2) establish guidelines for Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) inspections, examinations, or investigations of possible firearms violations. Prohibits ATF from disclosing information on firearms purchasers other than to a court, law enforcement agency, or prosecutor. Permits an owner of a firearms business whose license is expired, surrendered, or revoked 60 days to liquidate inventory. Requires any state agency that stores or keeps explosive materials to report to the Attorney General on the location and amount of such materials. Allows the transfer and possession of machineguns for use by federal security contractors. Prohibits taxes or user fees for background checks under the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act. Eliminates the requirement of written permission for the use of a handgun for lawful purposes by a minor (under age 18) where a parent or legal guardian is present at all times during such use. Restricts the disclosure of information in the ATF firearms trace system database. Increases penalties for possession of firearms by felons with prior convictions of a crime of violence or a serious drug offense.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2007
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives to: (1) address immediately the issue of the Medicare physician payment system; (2) halt any scheduled cuts to Medicare physician payments; and (3) begin working immediately on a long-term solution that pays physicians in a fair and stable way that ensures Medicare patients have access to a doctor of their choice.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2007
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the standards for imposing penalties on tax return preparers for understatements of tax to require: (1) substantial authority for a position with respect to an item on a tax return if such position was not disclosed with the return; and (2) a reasonable basis for a position which was disclosed with the return. Requires tax return preparers to have a reasonable belief that a position with respect to a tax shelter or a reportable transaction (a transaction having a potential for tax avoidance or evasion) will more likely than not be sustained on its merits.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2007
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 to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in recognition of her courageous and unwavering commitment to peace, nonviolence, human rights, and democracy in Burma.
United States · United States Congress · 4 December 2007
Gold Star Parents Annuity Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Defense to pay a special pension to each person who has received a Gold Star lapel button as a parent of a member of the Armed Forces who died while serving.
![Official portrait of Rep. Walsh, James T. [R-NY-25]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/w000099_200.jpg)