United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2007
Commends the efforts and supports the practices of youth court programs in improving the U.S. juvenile justice system. Encourages: (1) the recognition and observation of a National Youth Court Month; and (2) cultivation of a bond among volunteers serving others in the pursuit of justice for all youth.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2007
Encourages: (1) employers to check the names of potential employees with federal and state sex offender registries when hiring for positions involving children; (2) online dating sites to check the names of site members and those seeking site membership with federal and state sex offender registries and adopt appropriate safeguards; and (3) all states and jurisdictions to expeditiously implement sex offender registration requirements enacted by the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2007
Saving Our Community Pharmacies Act of 2007 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to provide for: (1) use of median retail acquisition cost as the basis for Medicaid reimbursement limits on generic drugs; and (2) establishment of an evidence-based prescription drug program. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on the costs of community retail pharmacies to dispense prescription drugs.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2007
National Women's Rights History Project Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to designate a vehicular tour route, to be known as the Votes for Women History Trail Route, to link properties in New York State that are historically and thematically associated with the struggle for women's suffrage in the United States. Requires the National Park Service to administer the Trail through the Women's Rights National Historical Park (established under prior law). Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) enter into cooperative agreements and memorandums of understanding with, and provide technical and financial assistance to, other federal agencies, the State of New York, localities, regional governmental bodies, and private entities; (2) make annual grants to state historic preservation offices for up to five years for assistance in surveying, evaluating, and nominating women's rights history properties to the National Register of Historic Places; and (3) make matching grants and give technical assistance for development of a network of governmental and nongovernmental entities providing interpretive and educational program development of national women's rights history, including historic preservation.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2007
Martin Van Buren National Historic Site Boundary Revision Act - Adjusts the boundary of the Martin Van Buren National Historic Site in the State of New York to include approximately 261 acres of land identified as the "PROPOSED PARK BOUNDARY" as depicted on the "Boundary Map, Martin Van Buren National Historic Site," dated January 2005. Authorizes the Secretary to acquire such lands and interests from a willing seller.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2007
Return of the Lost Boys and Lost Girls of Sudan Act - Requires the Director of Foreign Assistance to establish and carry out a program to assist eligible Sudanese refugees in the United States known as the "Lost Boys and Lost Girls of Sudan" to voluntarily return to southern Sudan to assist in reconstruction efforts. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Director should: (1) review similar programs for purposes of replicating best practices; (2) consult with the Lost Boys/Lost Girls Organization in the United States to identify interested and eligible program candidates; (3) seek cooperation with local and international organizations in southern Sudan to identify appropriate sectors, programs, and projects; and (4) seek to ensure that program participants retain their U.S. immigration status.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2007
Authorizes the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to make appropriate arrangements for the presentation, on behalf of Congress, of a gold medal of appropriate design to comedian Jerry Lewis in recognition of his outstanding service to the Nation.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2007
National Pain Care Policy Act of 2007 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to enter an agreement with the Institute of Medicine to convene a Conference on Pain to: (1) increase the recognition of pain as a significant public health problem; (2) evaluate the adequacy of assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and management of acute and chronic pain; (3) identify barriers to appropriate pain care; and (4) establish an agenda for action that will reduce such barriers and improve pain care research, education, and clinical care. Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to establish the Pain Consortium to: (1) establish a national agenda for research on the causes and effective treatments for pain; and (2) convene an annual conference of experts in pain research, treatment, and management to assess and make recommendations on NIH pain research activities and programs. Requires the Director of NIH to establish the National Pain Care Research Advisory Committee. Requires the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to: (1) collect protocols and evidence-based practices regarding pain care at all stages of life; and (2) disseminate such information to regulatory and enforcement agencies, health care programs, payor and providers, health professions schools, hospices, and the general public. Allows the Secretary to provide for the development and implementation of programs to educate and train health care professionals in pain care. Requires the Secretary to establish a national pain care education outreach and awareness campaign.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2007
Housing Fairness Act of 2007 - Instructs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to conduct, and report to Congress on, a nationwide testing program to: (1) detect and document differences in the treatment of persons seeking to rent or purchase housing or obtain or refinance a home mortgage loan; (2) measure patterns of adverse treatment because of the race, color, religion, sex, familial status, disability status, or national origin of a renter, home buyer, or borrower; and (3) measure the prevalence of such discriminatory practices across housing and mortgage lending markets. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987 to reauthorize the fair housing initiatives program. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary should: (1) fully comply with such Act's requirements to establish, design, and maintain a national education and outreach program for the development and dissemination of the fair housing rights of individuals who seek to rent, purchase, sell, or facilitate the sale of a home; (2) use all amounts appropriated for such program; and (3) promulgate regulations on the fair housing obligations of each recipient of federal housing funds to affirmatively further fair housing. Directs the Secretary to implement a competitive matching grant program to assist private nonprofit organizations in: (1) conducting comprehensive studies of specified aspects of the causes and effects of housing discrimination and segregation; and (2) implementing pilot projects that test solutions to help prevent or alleviate housing discrimination and segregation.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2007
National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Act of 2007 - Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to establish in the Treasury a National Affordable Housing Trust Fund available to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to provide assistance to states, Indian tribes, insular areas, and participating local jurisdictions to increase the supply of decent quality affordable housing, especially for low-income, extremely low-income, and very poor families.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2007
Broadcaster Freedom Act of 2007 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), notwithstanding any other provision of any Act, from having the authority to require broadcasters to present opposing viewpoints on controversial issues of public importance, commonly referred to as the Fairness Doctrine.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2007
Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act of 2007 - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to expand the authority of the administering authority or the International Trade Commission (ITC) to impose countervailing duties on products from a nonmarket economy country that have been provided a countervailable subsidy. Requires, when measuring subsidy benefits, the use of benchmarks outside of a nonmarket economy country when benchmarks in such a country are not available or are inappropriate. Includes fundamental and actionable misalignment of a currency (undervaluation of a foreign currency) by a foreign country as a countervailable subsidy. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury (Secretary) to: (1) report annually to Congress on international monetary policy and currency exchange rates (including fundamentally misaligned currencies); (2) analyze semiannually the prevailing real exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies and to designate fundamentally misaligned foreign currencies for priority action; and (3) seek bilateral consultations with fundamentally misaligned currency countries designated for priority action to eliminate such misalignment. Requires the United States to inform the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) of countries that fail to eliminate fundamentally misaligned currencies designated for priority action and to request the IMF Managing Director to consult with such countries regarding their observance of the IMF Articles of Agreement and to report the results of such consultations to the IMF Executive Board. Prohibits the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) from, and instructs multilateral banks to oppose, financing projects in countries that issue fundamentally misaligned currencies designated for priority action. Requires: (1) the Secretary to take certain actions with respect to countries that fail to eliminate fundamentally misaligned currencies designated for priority action; and (2) the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to request consultations in the World Trade Organization (WTO) with such countries regarding the consistency of their actions with regard the WTO Agreement. Establishes an Advisory Committee on International Exchange Rate Policy. Repeals the Exchange Rates and International Economic Policy Coordination Act of 1988.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2007
Congratulates the Village of Lake Placid, New York, as it celebrates its 75th anniversary of hosting the 1932 Winter Olympic Games. Encourages: (1) all Americans to visit the state-of-the-art Olympic facilities in Lake Placid; and (2) the United States Olympic Committee to select Lake Placid to represent the United States in a future bid for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2007
Children's Mercury Exposure Act of 2007 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS): (1) acting through the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and in consultation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to establish a program for research regarding the risks posed by exposure of children to mercury from contaminated industrial sites; and (2) acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to study and report on the prevalence of such exposure. Authorizes the Secretary, acting through the CDC Director, to make grants on a competitive basis to state departments of health to conduct testing of exposed children.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2007
Expresses support for the goals and ideals of National Zoo Keeper Week. Recognizes the contribution zoo keepers make to the care and conservation of captive exotic animals and to research, public education, and recreation. Expresses a renewed dedication to the appreciation and preservation of animal wildlife and nature and an invigorated effort to foster conservation projects and increase awareness of the need for preservation.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2007
National Environment and Energy Development Act - Declares without force or effect all federal prohibitions against the expenditure of appropriated funds to conduct natural gas leasing and preleasing activities for any area of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Revokes all withdrawals of federal submerged lands from leasing for natural gas exploration and production. Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior from: (1) granting a natural gas lease for any OCS located within 25 miles of a state coastline; or (2) issuing any lease for natural gas exploration or development in any OCS area located within 50 miles of a state coastline unless the state has enacted a law approving such lease. Prohibits the Secretary from issuing a lease for natural gas exploration or development in any OCS area located more than 50 miles and less than 100 miles from the coastline of a state if the state has enacted a law disapproving such lease issuance. Sets forth an allocation schedule (including designated reserve accounts) for revenues derived from bonus bids and royalties under qualified gas leases on submerged lands located within the seaward boundaries of a state. Modifies requirements for deeming state seaward boundaries. Authorizes the Secretary to issue leases for development and production of natural gas and associated condensate. Expresses the intent of Congress that this Act result in a healthy and growing American industrial, manufacturing, transportation, and service sector employing America's workforce to assist in the development of affordable energy from the OCS.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2007
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3 Quaker Ridge Road in New Rochelle, New York, as the "Robert Merrill Postal Station."
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2007
Congratulates: (1) the women's water polo team of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) for winning the 2007 NCAA Division I Women's Water Polo National Championship; and (2) UCLA on becoming the first school to win 100 NCAA sports national championship titles.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2007
Airline Flight Crew Technical Corrections Act - Amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 with respect to hours-of-service requirements airline flight crews must meet to qualify for leave under such Act. Declares that a flight attendant or flight crewmember will be considered to meet such requirements if he or she has been paid for or has worked 60% of the employer's monthly hour or trip guarantee, or the equivalent annualized over the preceding 12-month period.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2007
NASA and JPL 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), to mint and issue $50 gold and $1 silver coins emblematic of the 50 years of exemplary and unparalleled achievements of NASA and JPL. Requires all such coin sales to include a surcharge of $50 per $50 coin, and of $10 per $1 coin. Requires distribution of the first $4 million to the NASA Family Assistance Fund for financial assistance to the families of NASA personnel who die as a result of injuries suffered in the performance of their official duties. Requires distribution of: (1) one-half of the next $1 million of the remaining amounts to the Dr. Ronald E. McNair Educational (D.R.E.M.E.) Science Literacy Foundation and the Dorothy Jemison Foundation for Excellence; and (2) the remainder to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution for the preservation, maintenance, and display of space artifacts at the National Air and Space Museum (including the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center). Authorizes the Secretary to strike and sell bronze duplicates of the $50 gold coins.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2007
Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2007 - Repeals the general termination date of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (i.e., December 31, 2010), thus making the tax reductions enacted by that Act permanent. Repeals the termination date for provisions of the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 reducing income tax rates on dividends and capital gains. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent: (1) the tax deduction for state and local sales taxes; (2) the tax deduction for tuition and related expenses; (3) the increased expensing allowance for small business assets and related provisions; and (4) the tax credit for increasing research activities. Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Committee on Ways and Means should report legislation on or before December 31, 2008, to simplify the federal income tax system.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2007
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the United States strongly supports the new power-sharing government in Northern Ireland; (2) political leaders of Northern Ireland, Prime Minister Tony Blair, and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern should be commended for acting in the best interest of the people of Northern Ireland by forming this government; (3) May 8, 2007, will be remembered as an historic day and an important milestone in cementing peace and unity for Northern Ireland and an example for nations around the world plagued by internal conflict; and (4) the United States stands ready to support this new government and to work with the people of Northern Ireland as they achieve their goal of lasting peace.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2007
Empowerment Zone and Renewal Community Enhancement Act of 2007 - Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to tax-preferred empowerment zones, rural enterprise communities, and renewal communities to: (1) extend the period of designation for such areas through 2015; (2) provide a safe harbor standard for employee residency requirements in empowerment zones; (3) eliminate certain residency requirements for the empowerment zone employment tax credit; (4) grant authority to expand the boundaries of empowerment zones and enterprise communities, including those located in rural areas; (5) allow carryovers of unused expensing allowances for enterprise zone businesses; (6) allow certain empowerment zone businesses to elect to receive payments in lieu of tax benefits; (7) allow federal guarantees and tax exemptions for enterprise zones and renewal communities; and (8) allow the issuance of tax-exempt rural enterprise community bonds.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2007
Amends part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to: (1) limit the penalty for late enrollment under part B to 10% and twice the period of no enrollment; and (2) exclude periods of COBRA and retiree coverage from such late enrollment penalty. Provides for a special enrollment period for individuals whose COBRA or retiree coverage terminates.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2007
Iraq Study Group Recommendations Implementation Act of 2007 - Expresses the sense of Congress: (1) that the President should formulate a comprehensive plan to implement the Iraq Study Group recommendations; (2) respecting diplomatic efforts in Iraq; and (3) respecting redeployment of U.S. combat brigades not necessary for force protection and other specified duties by the first quarter of 2008. States U.S. policy respecting: (1) security and military forces in Iraq; (2) strengthening the U.S. military; (3) police and criminal justice in Iraq; (4) the oil sector in Iraq; (5) improving assistance programs in Iraq; (6) budgetary preparation; and (7) conditions for continued U.S. assistance to Iraq based upon the government of Iraq meeting specified milestones. Requires the President to report to Congress every 90 days respecting such policies' implementation.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2007
HOPE VI Green Building and Technical Assistance Act of 2007 - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to prescribe green communities requirements for grant applicants regarding revitalization programs for severely distressed public housing. Prohibits the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development from making a grant unless the applicant's revitalization plan complies with both the mandatory and some of the nonmandatory green communities affordable housing design, development, and operation criteria as they appear on the national Green Communities program checklist. Adds to such criteria specified requirements for nonresidential structures covered by the plan. Directs the Secretary to establish verification procedures. Repeals current technical assistance and program oversight funding authority, including those for assistance in connection with establishment and operation of computer centers in public housing through the Neighborhoods Networks initiative. Replaces it with mandatory funding for additional grants to assist: (1) potential and actual revitalization grant applicants in developing and planning revitalization programs; or (2) revitalization grant recipients in obtaining technical assistance in carrying out such programs.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2007
Congressional Commission on the Abolition of Modern-Day Slavery Act - Defines "modern-day slavery." Establishes a congressional Commission on the Abolition of Modern-day Slavery which shall: (1) study matters relating to modern-day slavery; (2) review programs of relevant governmental agencies; (3) examine efforts by foreign countries and multilateral organizations to combat modern-day slavery; and (4) convene additional experts from nongovernmental organizations as part of the Commission's review. States that the Commission shall: (1) advise Congress on how the United States could support efforts to eradicate modern-day slavery; (2) evaluate comparative strategies to prevent modern-day slavery, rescue and rehabilitate its victims, and prosecute traffickers and increase accountability within countries; (3) examine the economic impact on communities and countries that demonstrate measured success in fighting modern-day slavery; (4) evaluate the effectiveness of U.S. laws prohibiting the importation of goods produced through forced labor or child labor; (5) evaluate U.S. trade policy's effect on modern slavery, including a list of the 10 countries with the highest number of slaves within their borders; and (6) evaluate U.S. government procurement policies regarding slave-made goods or services. Terminates the Commission 90 days after submission of a report required under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2007
Recreational Boating Act of 2007 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (popularly known as the Clean Water Act) to redefine the term "pollutant" to exclude any deck runoff from a recreational vessel, any engine cooling water, gray water, bilge water effluent from properly functioning recreational marine engine, laundry, shower, and galley sink wastes from a recreational vessel, or any other discharge incidental to the normal operation of a recreational vessel. Declares that such exclusion does not apply to rubbish, trash, garbage, or any other such materials discharged overboard by a recreational vessel. Defines "recreational vessel" to mean a vessel that is: (1) manufactured for operation, or operated primarily for recreational purposes; or (2) leased, rented, or chartered to an individual for recreational purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2007
Calls for the establishment of a National Youth Sports Week to promote awareness of the importance of youth sports and the need to restore the focus in youth sports on the child's experience and character development.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2007
Clean Water Restoration Act of 2007 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to replace the term "navigable waters," throughout the Act, with the term "waters of the United States," defined to mean all waters subject to the ebb and flow of the tide, the territorial seas, and all interstate and intrastate waters and their tributaries, including lakes, rivers, streams (including intermittent streams), mudflats, sandflats, wetlands, sloughs, prairie potholes, wet meadows, playa lakes, natural ponds, and all impoundments of the foregoing, to the fullest extent that these waters, or activities affecting them, are subject to the legislative power of Congress under the Constitution. Declares that nothing in such Act shall be construed as affecting the authority of the Secretary of the Army or the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the provisions of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act related to discharges: (1) composed entirely of agricultural return flows; (2) of stormwater runoff from oil, gas, and mining operations; or (3) of dredged or fill materials resulting from normal farming, silviculture, and ranching activities or from activities with respect to which a state has an approved program, or for the purposes of maintenance of currently serviceable structures or drainage ditches, construction or maintenance of farm or stock ponds, irrigation ditches, or farm, forest, or temporary roads for moving mining equipment, or construction of temporary sedimentation basins on construction sites.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2007
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) Congress and the Executive Branch should aggressively pursue development and rapid, commercial deployment of a diverse portfolio of new and existing energy technologies; (2) Congress should pursue development of policies to promote specified efficiency initiatives; (3) Congress should pursue policies that create a sustainable market for the commercial deployment of alternative and energy efficiency technologies; and (4) Congress, the Executive Branch, and state and local governments, as well as utilities and industry leaders, should be actively engaged in consumer education initiatives surrounding available approaches to energy diversity and efficiency.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2007
Financial Security Accounts for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish tax-exempt financial security accounts for individuals with disabilities to pay certain expenses of such individuals, including expenses for education, medical care, and employment training.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2007
Recognizes the public service of Tony Blair during his tenure as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Expresses appreciation to Mr. Blair for his support for the United States and Britain's invaluable alliance to our nation.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2007
Cancer Screening, Treatment, and Survivorship Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to make matching grants to states or Indian tribes for: (1) cancer screening and referrals; (2) developing and disseminating public information and education programs for the detection and control of certain cancers; (3) improving the education, training and skills of health professionals in detecting certain cancers; and (4) establishing mechanisms to monitor the quality of screening procedures. Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to allow states to provide coverage under Medicaid for individuals not otherwise eligible who are under the age 65 and who: (1) have been screened for cancer and have been referred for treatment; or (2) have been diagnosed or treated for cancer. Requires the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), acting through the Director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), to expand research programs to identify and improve cancer screening and testing protocols and tools, with particular emphasis on those cancers with the highest incidence of mortality and disability. Directs the Secretary to award grants for activities to raise public awareness to ensure widespread use of cancer screening programs and access to the best available screening and testing services. Requires the Director of NIH to: (1) expand cancer survivorship research activities at NCI-designated cancer centers; and (2) provide assistance to such centers for research to evaluate models of survivorship care.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2007
Syria Accountability and Liberation Act - States that U.S. sanctions, controls, and regulations relating to Syria shall remain in effect until the President certifies that Syria has ceased support for terrorism, has dismantled biological, chemical, or nuclear weapons programs and has committed to combat their proliferation, respects the boundaries and sovereignty of all neighboring countries, and upholds human rights and civil liberties. Imposes specified trade, assistance, and military sanctions, as appropriate, on persons or countries that transfer goods or technology so as to contribute to Syria's biological, chemical, nuclear, or advanced conventional weapons programs. Imposes specified sanctions aimed at Syria's energy sector. Sets forth diplomatic measures intended to isolate the government of Syria. Directs the President to provide assistance to support a democratic transition in Syria. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2007
Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a nonrefundable income tax credit of up to $500 for the purchase of a qualified hearing aid for an individual who is either: (1) age 55 or older; or (2) is claimed as a dependent of the taxpayer.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 2007
Perpetual Purple Heart Stamp Act - Directs the Postmaster General to provide for the issuance of a forever stamp (a stamp that meets first-class postage requirements even if postage rates increase) to honor the sacrifices of the men and women of the Armed Forces who have been awarded the Purple Heart.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2007
Mother's Day Centennial Commemorative Coin Act - Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue not more than 400,000 $1 coins emblematic of the 100th anniversary of President Wilson's proclamation designating the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day. Authorizes the Secretary to issue such coins beginning January 1, 2014, except that the Secretary may initiate sales of such coins, without issuance, before such date. Terminates such minting authority after December 31, 2014. Requires coin sales to include a $10 surcharge per coin, with distribution of such surcharges to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Osteoporosis Foundation for the purpose of furthering research.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2007
Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to award the Army Combat Action Badge to any member of the Army who participated in combat during which the person actually engaged, or was personally engaged by, the enemy at any time between December 7, 1941, and September 18, 2001, as long as such person has not been previously recognized for such participation.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2007
Healthcare Truth and Transparency Act of 2007 - Prohibits any person who is a licensed health care service provider but who is not a medical doctor or a doctor of osteopathic medicine from making any statement or engaging in any act that deceives or misleads the public or a prospective or current patient into believing that such person is a doctor or has the same or equivalent education, skills, or training. Requires any such person to identify in any advertisement the license under which such person is authorized to provide services. Treats such statements or acts as unfair or deceptive acts or practices prescribed under the Federal Trade Commission Act. Requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to conduct an investigation of health care providers engaging in such acts to: (1) identify specific acts and practices constituting a violation of this Act; (2) determine the frequency of such acts and practices; (3) identify instances of harm or injury resulting from such acts and practices; (4) determine the extent to which such providers comply with state laws or regulations requiring disclosure of the type of license to patients or in advertisements; and (5) identify instances where any state public policy has permitted such acts and practices.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2007
Medicare Access to Complex Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to exempt complex rehabilitation products and assistive technology products from the Medicare competititve acquisition program.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2007
Traumatic Brain Injury Health Enhancement and Long-Term Support Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to: (1) establish a program to screen veterans eligible for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital, medical, and nursing home care for symptoms of traumatic brain injury (TBI); (2) develop and carry out a program of long-term care for post-acute TBI rehabilitation; (3) establish a TBI transition office at each VA polytrauma network site to coordinate the provision of health care and services to veterans who suffer from moderate to severe TBI and are in need of health care and services not immediately offered by the VA; (4) establish and maintain the Traumatic Brain Injury Veterans' Health Registry; (5) establish and operate centers for TBI research, education, and clinical activities; (6) establish the Committee on Care of Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury; (7) carry out a pilot program to provide veterans' readjustment counseling and related mental health services through mobile Vet Centers; and (8) establish the Advisory Committee on Rural Veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2007
Kinship Caregiver Support Act - Authorizes the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families of the Department of Health and Human Services to make grants to eligible entities to pay for the federal share of the cost of carrying out kinship navigator programs. Amends part E (Federal Payments for Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV of the Social Security Act to authorize all states to opt to enter agreements to provide kinship guardianship assistance payments on behalf of children to grandparents and other relatives who have assumed legal guardianship of children for whom they have cared as foster parents and have committed to care for on a permanent basis. Provides that adoptive parents of children with special needs remain eligible for adoption assistance, even if they receive kinship guardianship assistance. Authorizes the use of foster care independence program funds to provide independent living services and education and training vouchers for children who exit foster care to kinship guardianship or adoption after age 14. Directs the Secretary to enter into agreements with eligible entities to conduct demonstration kinship guardianship assistance projects. Requires states to: (1) notify all adult grandparents and other adult relatives (with exceptions due to family or domestic violence) when a child is removed from custody of a parent or parents; and (2) explain the options the relative has to participate in the child's care and placement. Allows state agencies to establish separate standards for foster family homes in which a foster parent is a relative of the foster child. Expands the definition of family support services to include assisting kinship caregivers or guardians in locating and accessing needed services. Requires that states inform case workers and families considering guardianship of all permanency options and service eligibility.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2007
Supports the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, the world's largest humanitarian network, by honoring World Red Cross Red Crescent Day.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2007
Feeding America's Families Act of 2007 - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 with respect to: (1) inflation adjustments; (2) standard deduction increases; (3) combat pay, retirement account, and education account exclusions; (4) minimum benefit increases; (5) countable resource increases; (6) legal immigrant eligibility; (7) work requirements; (8) state option to provide food assistance to foster community reintegration; (9) program administration; (10) cash payment pilot projects; (11) food stamp program reauthorization; (12) block grants for Puerto Rico and American Samoa; (13) outreach; (14) food stamp use at farmers' markets; (15) community food projects, community food assistance, and food bank infrastructure; (16) creation of the national food for the hungry transportation, self-help, and job-training fund; and (17) hunger-free communities collaborative grants. Establishes in the Department of Agriculture the Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellowship Program and the Mickey Leland International Hunger Fellowship Program. Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to repeal the hunger fellowship program. Amends the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 to extend the commodity supplemental food program.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2007
Medicare Ambulance Payment Extension Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide an additional 5% increase in Medicare payments for ground ambulance services furnished on or after January 1, 2008, and before January 1, 2010.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2007
Investment in America Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase from 12 to 20% the rate of the alternative simplified tax credit for research expenses; (2) make permanent the tax credit for increasing research activities; and (3) repeal the alternative incremental tax credit for research expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2007
Farm, Nutrition, and Community Investment Act of 2007 - Establishes the farm and ranch profitability grant program. Extends the market access program. Revises (and extends certain of) the following conservation programs: (1) the environmental quality incentives program; (2) the conservation innovation grant program; (3) the cost share and incentive payment program; (4) state performance incentives; (5) the wildlife habitat incentive program; (6) the conservation reserve program; and (7) the wetlands reserve program. Establishes: (1) the cooperative conservation partnership initiative; (2) the comprehensive conservation planning pilot program; (3) the farmland protection program; (4) the debt for agricultural easements program; (5) the conservation risk management pilot program; (6) the (Delmarva) conservation corridor demonstration program; (7) biomass and biorefinery research and development programs; (8) the climate carbon cycle, renewable energy, and climate change research program; (9) the farm and ranch energy efficiency rebate program; (10) the alternative use for biofuel byproducts research program; and (11) the farmers' market pilot program for the disabled. Authorizes a conservation loan guarantee program. Revises farmland protection policy provisions. Requires an electric utility to provide net metering service to a requesting electric consumer. Extends the: (1) fresh fruit and vegetable program; (2) Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) farmers' market nutrition program; (3) senior farmers' market nutrition program; and (4) farmers' market promotion program. Provides for Department of Agriculture and Department of Defense (DOD) procurement of locally produced agricultural products. Revises healthy forests reserve program provisions. Establishes the community forest and open space conservation program. Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 with respect to: (1) standard deduction increases; (2) combat pay and retirement account exclusions; (3) minimum benefits; (4) countable resource increases; (5) work requirements; (6) program reauthorization; (7) program administration; (8) cash payment pilot projects; (9) block grants for Puerto Rico and American Samoa; (10) legal immigrant eligibility; (11) the emergency food assistance program; (12) the commodity supplemental food program; and (13) community food project competitive grants. Revises (and extends certain of) the following programs under the Federal Crop Insurance Act: (1) the agricultural management assistance program; (2) the adjusted gross revenue insurance pilot program; (3) crop insurance incentives for beginning farmers; and (4) organic crop provisions. Extends the: (1) national dairy market loss payment program; (2) dairy export incentive program; (3) dairy indemnity program; and (4) dairy research program. Sets the FY2008 minimum price for Class 1 milk under a federal marketing order at $15.58 per hundredweight. Revises: (1) federal milk marketing order provisions; and (2) dairy reporting provisions. Establishes a federal dairy education loan forgiveness program. Establishes the: (1) national organic agriculture conversion and stewardship incentives program; and (2) national organic certification cost share program. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude gains on the sale of development rights or conservation easements on agricultural land for conservation purposes to qualifying entities. Establishes: (1) a research program to improve specialty crop and livestock survivability; (2) a national clean plant network; and (3) an early pest detection and surveillance improvement program.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2007
Volunteer Emergency Services Recruitment and Retention Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow sponsors of certain deferred compensation plans to elect to include length of service award plans for bona fide volunteers providing fire fighting and prevention services, emergency medical services, ambulance services, and emergency rescue services. Directs the Secretary of Labor to issue regulations exempting a length of service award program from treatment as an employee pension benefit plan under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA).
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2007
Thomas J. Manton Prostate Cancer Early Detection and Treatment Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to make grants to states to carry out: (1) prostate cancer prevention programs (including screening and referrals for treatment); and (2) demonstration projects to provide preventive health services with respect to prostate cancer (including blood pressure and cholesterol screenings). Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to allow states to provide medical assistance to individuals who have been screened for prostate cancer under this Act and who need treatment for prostate cancer. Applies provisions related to breast and cervical cancer programs to programs under this Act.
![Official portrait of Rep. Walsh, James T. [R-NY-25]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/w000099_200.jpg)