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![Official portrait of Rep. West, Allen B. [R-FL-22]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/w000807_200.jpg)
United States · Official source
324 records where Rep. West, Allen B. [R-FL-22] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2012
Prohibits any funds made available after FY2012 to any federal department or agency from being used to provide assistance to Egypt.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2012
Permits a member of the Armed Forces (member) who is involuntarily separated from active duty or the Selected Reserve and who has a service-connected disability (and the member's dependents) to use commissary and exchange stores on the same basis as a member entitled to retired or retainer pay. Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to ensure that such authority is fully implemented within 90 days after the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2012
Space Leadership Preservation Act of 2012 - Establishes a Board of Directors for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Sets forth Board membership and appointment criteria. Directs the President to appoint the NASA Administrator and Deputy Administrator from among a list of nominees provided by the Board. Requires the Board to provide: (1) NASA's proposed annual budget; (2) annual reports on spaceflight infrastructure, unique space capabilities, and the workforce necessary to maintain such infrastructure and capabilities; (3) reports on specific policy matters; and (4) quadrennial reviews of current space programs and a vision for future space exploration. Authorizes the Administrator to enter into contracts for rocket propulsion systems and manned and unmanned space transportation vehicles and payloads.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2012
States that: (1) Congress condemns the attacks on the U.S. diplomatic missions in Libya, Egypt, and Yemen; and (2) the American people mourn the loss of our public servants and offer our condolences to the families of those killed in Benghazi, Libya. Directs the President to report to Congress on: (1) the September 11, 2012, attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya; (2) the attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Cairo, Egypt, that began on September 11, 2012; (3) the September 13, 2012, attack on the U.S. Embassy in Sana'a, Yemen; and (4) the state of security at U.S. diplomatic missions globally.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 2012
Recovering Service Members Disability Benefits Act - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to create an exception from the required waiting period for disability insurance benefits in the case of recovering service members (of the Armed Forces, including a member of the National Guard or a Reserve component, who is undergoing medical treatment, recuperation, or therapy while recovering from a serious bodily injury or physical illness related to the member's military service).
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 2012
Expresses support for: (1) the designation of Stomach Cancer Awareness Month, and (2) efforts to educate the people of the United States about stomach cancer. Recognizes the need for additional research into early diagnosis and treatment.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 2012
Supports the designation of a Small Business Saturday. Supports efforts to: (1) encourage consumers to shop locally, and (2) increase awareness of the value of locally owned small businesses and their impact on the U.S. economy.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2012
Designates the facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) at 9800 West Commercial Boulevard in Sunrise, Florida, as the "William 'Bill' Kling VA Clinic."
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 2012
National Security and Job Protection Act - Makes the effective date of this Act contingent upon enactment of: (1) the reconciliation Act with certain spending reductions for a specified deficit reduction contemplated by H.Con.Res. 112, as passed by the House of Representatives on March 16, 2012; or (2) similar legislation that achieves outlay reductions within five years after enactment that equal or exceed specified outlay reductions flowing from the budget authority reductions required by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act), as in force immediately before enactment of this Act, as it applies to direct spending in the defense function for FY2013 combined with the outlay reductions flowing from the across-the-board decrease in discretionary spending made by this Act. Amends the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act to abolish the distinction between security and nonsecurity categories of discretionary spending for new budget authority in FY2013. Combines the dollar amounts of the current categories ($686 billion for the security category and $361 billion for the nonsecurity category) into a single amount of $1.047 trillion in new budget authority. Revises sequestration requirements for FY2013 to require a $19.104 billion across-the-board decrease in the discretionary spending category as of January 2, 2013. Directs the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to issue a supplemental sequestration report for FY2013 to eliminate any discretionary spending breach of the $1.047 trillion spending limit, as adjusted by the $19.104 billion across-the-board reduction requirement of this Act. Directs the President to issue an order to eliminate the breach, if any, identified in such report. Nullifies any sequestration order the President may issue under the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act to carry out reductions to direct spending for the FY2013 defense function (050). Provides that, if the legislation referred to above is enacted and achieves the outlay reductions specified, and those reductions exceed the outlay reductions flowing from the spending budget authority reductions required by the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act, the direct spending reductions for the nonsecurity category for FY2013 (otherwise required to be reduced) shall be reduced by the difference. Requires the President by October 15, 2012, to transmit to Congress a legislative proposal that meets such requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 2012
Recognizes the importance and dedication of federal law enforcement officers in protecting the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2012
Transparent and Science-Based Fishery Management Act of 2012 - Amends the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to provide that a Regional Fishery Management Council is not required to develop an annual catch limit for: (1) an ecosystem component species; or (2) a species, fishery, or stock for which a survey and stock assessment have not been performed within the preceding five years. Defines "ecosystem component species" as a stock of fish that is a nontarget, incidentally harvested stock of fish in a fishery, or a nontarget, incidentally harvested stock of fish, that a Council or the Secretary of Commerce has determined is not: (1) subject to overfishing, approaching an overfished condition, or overfished; and (2) likely to become subject to overfishing or overfished in the absence of conservation and management measures. Requires each annual catch limit to take into account: (1) management measures under international agreements in which the United States participates, and (2) informal transboundary agreements under which management activities outside the exclusive economic zone by another country may hinder conservation efforts by U.S. fishermen for a species for which any of the recruitment, distribution, life history, or fishing activities are transboundary. Prohibits the New England, Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic, and Gulf of Mexico Councils, except with respect to the Gulf of Mexico commercial red snapper fishery, from submitting a fishery management plan or amendment that creates a catch share program for a fishery (and prohibits the Secretary from implementing a secretarial plan or amendment) unless the final program has been approved in a referendum by a majority of specified permit holders eligible to participate in the fishery. Requires 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 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 extends the rebuilding 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. Permits the Secretary to: (1) suspend annual catch limits under specified circumstances, and (2) use portions of fisheries enforcement penalties for data collection purposes. Directs the Secretary to review and report to Congress on each fishery closure under federal law for which notice was published in the Federal Register that was not a normal and expected occurrence under the fishery management plan for the fishery concerned and was considered disruptive to sport, charter, or commercial fishing operations, and that was in effect for more than 120 days within the five-year period preceding the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2012
Recognizes the significance of the 50th anniversary of Trinidad and Tobago's independence to the people of Trinidad and Tobago and supports the ideals of Trinidad and Tobago's Independence Day.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2012
Recognizes the significance of the 50th anniversary of Jamaica's independence to the people of Jamaica and supports the ideals of Jamaica's Independence Day.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2012
Calls on all parties in the conflict in Syria to respect the human rights and religious freedom of Syrian citizens. Calls: (1) Secretary of State to predicate future discussions with all Syrian groups on their obligation to respect the rights of all Syrians, and (2) for future aid to Syria to be preconditioned on the Syrian government's protection of religious minorities and human rights. Calls on the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom to monitor the situation in Syria and offer policy recommendations on how to ensure the protection of religious freedom and human rights for all Syrians.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2012
Preserving Work Requirements for Welfare Programs Act of 2012 - Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) from finalizing, implementing, enforcing, or otherwise taking any action to give effect to the Information Memorandum dated July 12, 2012 (Transmittal No. TANF-ACF-IM-2012-03), or to any administrative action relating to the same subject matter or that reflects the same or similar policies. Prohibits the Secretary also from authorizing, approving, modifying, or extending any experimental, pilot, or demonstration project under the Social Security Act (SSA) that: (1) waives compliance with mandatory work requirements of SSA title IV part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF), or (2) authorizes an expenditure not otherwise allowable under a state TANF program with respect to compliance with such work requirements. Rescinds and nullifies any waiver relating to the subject matter of the Information Memorandum granted before the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2012
Healthcare Tax Relief and Mandate Repeal Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) terminate the requirement, added by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), that individuals maintain minimum essential health insurance coverage for themselves and dependents; and (2) repeal provisions added by PPACA requiring certain employers who have a workforce of 50 or more full-time employees to provide health insurance coverage for their employees.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2012
Supports the designation of a National Eagle Scout Day to commemorate the contributions made by Eagle Scouts of the Boy Scouts of America.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2012
Congratulates the Miami Heat for winning the 2012 National Basketball Association World Championship and LeBron James for winning the 2012 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award.
United States · United States Congress · 31 May 2012
Sequestration Transparency Act of 2012 - Requires the President on July 9, 2012, to submit to Congress a detailed report on the implementation of certain discretionary reductions (in security and nonsecurity categories) and nonexempt direct spending reductions in the sequestration ordered by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) for FY2013 on January 2, 2013. (The Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act was amended by the Budget Control Act of 2011 to revise the discretionary spending limits and reduce the discretionary appropriations and direct spending specified in the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act unless a joint committee bill achieving an amount greater than $1.2 trillion in deficit reduction would be enacted by January 15, 2012.)
United States · United States Congress · 30 May 2012
Commends the Patriot Guard Riders and all of the other volunteers involved in shielding the mourning family and friends of a fallen member of the Armed Forces from interruptions created by any protestor or group of protestors. Recognizes the sacrifices that veterans, members of the Armed Forces, and their families have made, and continue to make, on behalf of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 30 May 2012
Authorizes Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center to be used on June 27, 2012, for an event to award the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the Montford Point Marines. (Camp Montford Point, North Carolina, was the site for the training of the first African-American Marines.)
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2012
Disaster Savings and Resilient Construction Act of 2012 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a business-related tax credit for the cost of constructing commercial and residential buildings that comply with resilient construction requirements in a federally-declared major disaster area. Defines "resilient construction requirements" as requirements that ensure that such buildings: (1) can resist hazards brought on by a major disaster and can continue to provide their primary functions after a major disaster, (2) can reduce the magnitude or duration of a disruptive event, and (3) have the absorptive capacity, adaptive capacity, and recoverability to withstand a potentially disruptive event. Terminates such credit for any any property for which a certificate of occupancy is issued after December 31, 2015.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2012
Declares that the House of Representatives should observe a minute of silence to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the 1972 Munich Olympics terrorist attack and remember those who lost their lives. Urges the International Olympic Committee to: (1) take the opportunity afforded by that anniversary to remind the world that the Olympics were established to send a message of hope and peace through sport and athletic competition; and (2) recognize those who lost their lives at the 1972 Munich Olympics with a minute of silence at every future Olympics Opening Ceremony, beginning with the 2012 London Summer Olympic Games, in an effort to reject and repudiate terrorism as antithetical to the Olympic goal of peaceful competition.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2012
Recognizes school boards as deliberative public bodies that should be free to engage in prayer at the beginning of meetings consistent with the prayer practice upheld in Marsh v. Chambers . Expresses support for the voluntary practice of prayer at the beginning of meetings of legislative bodies and other deliberative public bodies, including school board meetings.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2012
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the Space Launch System and Orion Crew Capsule were authorized on October 11, 2010, but repeated delays in the implementation of a clear mission for the American space program are forcing the United States to cede its competitive edge in space flight capability to Russia and China; and (2) this development, as well as other specified developments, present a direct threat to American exceptionalism and are actively undermining our global leadership as a nation.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2012
Andrew P. Carpenter Tax Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income any amount attributable to the discharge of student loan indebtedness of a veteran who died as a result of a service-connected disability.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2012
Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2012 - Amends the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (VAWA) to: (1) revise or add universal definitions under such Act; (2) modify grant conditions for VAWA programs, including imposing restrictions on disclosure of victims' confidential and personally identifying information and expanding nondiscrimination requirements; and (3) require audits of VAWA programs to be conducted by the Office of Audit, Assessment, and Management in the Department of Justice (DOJ). Requires an annual audit of not fewer than 10% of all VAWA grantees beginning in FY2013 to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse of funds. Prohibits: (1) the awarding of grants to nonprofit organizations that hold money in offshore accounts for tax avoidance purposes, (2) the use of grant funds to lobby any governmental employee regarding the award of grant funding, and (3) the use of amounts authorized to be appropriated to DOJ or the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to host or support conferences without prior written approval by appropriate DOJ or HHS officials. Title I: Enhancing Judicial and Law Enforcement Tools to Combat Violence Against Women - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to expand services for sexual assault victims, including male victims, under the grant programs for combatting violent crimes against women (STOP grants) and for encouraging arrest policies and enforcing protection orders for sexual assault victims. Amends the Violence Against Women Act of 2000 to expand the availability of competent pro bono legal assistance to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Revises the grant programs for supporting families with a history of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking to authorize the Attorney General to make grants to improve the response of the civil and criminal justice system to such families and to train court personnel in assisting such families. Extends through FY2017 the authorization of appropriations for the Court-Appointed Special Advocate program to assist child victims of abuse or neglect. Revises and reauthorizes through FY2017 the grant program for outreach strategies targeted at adult or youth victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking in underserved populations. Eliminates the requirement that recipients of grants to combat violent sex crimes against women include linguistically specific services in administering such grants. Amends the DNA Analysis Backlog Elimination Act of 2000 to require that not less than 75% of the grant amounts awarded in FY2013-FY2014 under such Act be used for DNA analyses of samples from crimes scenes. Title II: Improving Services for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking - Amends VAWA to extend through FY2017 the authorization of appropriations for grant programs to: (1) assist states, Indian tribes, and territories to establish, maintain, and expand rape crisis centers and other programs to assist victims of sexual assault; and (2) assist victims of domestic violence and other sexual assault crimes in rural areas. Amends the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 to extend through FY2017 the authorization of appropriations for grants to end violence against women with disabilities and women in later life. Title III: Services, Protection, and Justice for Young Victims of Violence - Amends the Public Health Service Act to extend through FY2017 the authorization of appropriations for grants for rape prevention and education programs conducted by rape crisis centers. Amends VAWA to replace certain grant programs for the protection of young victims of violent crimes with a program requiring the Attorney General to award grants to enhance the safety of youth and children who are victims of, or exposed to, domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking and to prevent future violence. Amends the Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 to expand the requirements for the grant program to combat violent crimes on campuses to require training on violent crimes for incoming students and campus law enforcement officials. Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to expand the requirements for disclosure of campus security policies and crime statistics by institutions of higher education to require disclosure of disciplinary proceedings and procedures to protect the confidentiality of crime victims. Title IV: Violence Reduction Practices - Extends through FY2017 the authorization of appropriations for grants through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to support research to examine prevention and intervention programs to further the understanding of sexual and domestic violence by and against adults, youth, and children. Amends VAWA to authorize the Attorney General to award grants to prevent domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking by taking a comprehensive approach that focuses on youth, children exposed to violence, and men as leaders and influencers of social norms (SMART Prevention grants). Title V: Strengthening the Health Care System's Response to Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking - Amends the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize, revise, and consolidate grant programs that address domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking by developing or enhancing and implementing: (1) interdisciplinary training for health professionals, public health staff, and allied health professionals; (2) education programs for health profession students to prevent and respond to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking; and (3) comprehensive statewide strategies to improve the response of clinics, public health facilities, hospitals, and other health settings to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Title VI: Safe Homes for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking - Amends VAWA with respect to housing rights of victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Prohibits denial or termination of housing assistance on the basis of being such a victim under specified federal housing programs (covered programs), including the low-income housing tax credit program, if the applicant or tenant otherwise qualifies for such admission, assistance, participation, or occupancy. Prohibits denial of assistance, tenancy, or occupancy rights to assisted housing based solely on certain criminal activity directly related to domestic violence engaged in by a member of the individual's household or by any guest or other person under the individual's control, if the tenant or an affiliated individual is the victim or threatened victim. Defines "affiliated individual" as: (1) a spouse, parent, brother, sister, or child of that individual, or someone to whom such individual stands in loco parentis; or (2) any other individual, tenant, or lawful occupant living in the individual's household. Allows a public housing agency (PHA) or an owner or manager of assisted housing to bifurcate a housing lease in order to evict, remove, or terminate assistance to any tenant or lawful occupant who engages in criminal activity directly relating to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking against an affiliated individual or other individual, without evicting or otherwise penalizing a victim of such criminal activity who is also a tenant or lawful occupant. Requires each appropriate agency to adopt a model emergency relocation and transfer plan, meeting specified criteria, for PHAs and owners or managers of assisted housing to use voluntarily in allowing tenants who are victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking to relocate or transfer to another available and safe dwelling unit of assisted housing. Requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to establish policies and procedures under which a victim requesting such a transfer may receive section 8 (voucher program) assistance under the United States Housing Act of 1937. Makes conforming amendments to the United States Housing Act of 1937. Revises eligibility requirements for transitional housing assistance grants for child victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking to specify that any victims are eligible. Decreases the authorization of appropriations for such grants for FY2012-FY2016. Decreases the authorization of appropriations for FY2012-FY2016 also for: (1) collaborative grants to increase the long-term stability of victims, and (2) grants to combat violence against women in public and assisted housing. Title VII: Economic Security for Victims of Violence - Amends VAWA to extend through FY2017 the authorization of appropriations for grants to eligible nonprofit nongovernmental entities or tribal organizations for a national resource center on workplace responses to assist victims of domestic and sexual violence. Title VIII: Immigration Provisions - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to direct the the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to consider any credible relevant evidence, including evidence submitted by an accused U.S. national or permanent resident, in adjudicating an application for cancellation of removal by an alien who has been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty. Provides that: (1) permanent resident self-petitions for a battered spouse, child, or parent shall be adjudicated at local U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services offices and shall include an in-person interview with the petitioning alien; (2) a petition shall not be granted unless it is supported by clear and convincing evidence; and (3) if the alien has made a material misrepresentation during any aspect of the self-petition adjudication the petition shall be denied and the alien removed from the U.S. on an expedited basis. Requires that a certification for a nonimmigrant U-visa (victims of certain crimes) confirm that: (1) the petitioner reported the criminal activity to a law enforcement agency within 60 days of its occurrence, (2) the statute of limitations for prosecuting the criminal activity has not lapsed, (3) the criminal activity is under active investigation or prosecution, and (4) the petitioner has provided information that will assist in identifying the perpetrator or the perpetrator's identity is known. Requires that a petition filed by a U.S. citizen for a nonimmigrant K-visa (fiancee/fiance) contain information on whether the petitioner has been convicted of attempting to commit abuse or stalking and whether any permanent protection or restraining orders have been issued against such petitioner. Amends the International Marriage Broker Regulation Act of 2005 to prohibit an international marriage broker from providing any individual or entity with personal contact information about an individual under the age of 18. Requires a broker to obtain, and keep for five years, a valid copy of each foreign national client's birth certificate or other official proof of age documented by the appropriate government entity. Requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report to Congress on the approval processes for U-visa petitions and self-petitions for permanent residence filed by battered aliens in order to assess fraud and abuse safeguards. Eliminates authority to adjust U-visa recipients to permanent resident status. Requires DHS to report to Congress each year on the U-visa program, the T-visa program (victims of trafficking) and the self-petition process for battered aliens. Makes the surviving child of an alien who was a VAWA self-petitioner who filed a pending or approved petition for classification or application for status adjustment or other benefit eligible for lawful permanent resident status under such alien's petition. Excludes from the public charge bar to admission an alien who is: (1) a VAWA self-petitioner, (2) a U-visa applicant, or (3) a battered spouse or child. States that an unmarried alien who seeks to accompany, or follow to join, a parent granted U-visa status who was under 21 years of age on the date on which the parent petitioned for such status shall continue to be classified as a child if the alien attains 21 years of age after the parent's petition was filed but while it was pending. Extends the conditions under which the waiver of the two-year waiting period for permanent resident status application may be granted to a battered alien spouse. Authorizes DOJ, the Department of State, and DHS to disclose information to national security officials solely for national security use in a manner that protects the confidentiality of such information. Requires GAO to report to Congress on the adjudication of U-visa petitions. Title IX: Safety for Indian Women - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to direct a portion of certain grants to combat violent crime against American Indian women toward: (1) sex trafficking, (2) services for youthful victims, and (3) legislation and policies effective in combating such crime. Amends the Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 to require the National Institute of Justice to include sex trafficking in its study of violence against Indian women. Title X: Criminal Provisions - Amends the federal criminal code to expand sexual abuse provisions involving a ward who is in official detention or supervised by, or otherwise under the control of, the United States, to include sexual abuse of such ward: (1) during arrest; (2) during pretrial release; (3) while in official detention or custody; or (4) while on probation, supervised release, or parole. Enhances criminal penalties for criminal civil rights violations involving sexual abuse. Amends the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act and the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 to prohibit the commission of a sexual act in custodial settings. Directs the DHS Secretary to publish a final rule adopting national standards for the detection, prevention, reduction, and punishment of rapes and sexual assaults in detention facilities for aliens detained for a violation of U.S. immigration laws. Requires the Secretary of HHS to publish a similar final rule for the protection of unaccompanied alien children in custodial facilities. Amends the federal criminal code to increase criminal penalties for: (1) the crime of stalking involving conduct in violation of a protection order or involving victims under the age of 18 or over the age of 65; and (2) the crime of assault, including assaults of a spouse, intimate partner, or dating partner by strangling or suffocating. Imposes mandatory minimum prison terms for aggravated sexual abuse involving force or threats (10 years) and for aggravated sexual abuse involving other means, including by the use of drugs or intoxicants (5 years).
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2012
Fairness for Military Homeowners Act of 2012 - Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to prohibit the absence of a servicemember from his or her principal place of residence due to active-duty military service from preventing such servicemember from refinancing a mortgage on such residence. Makes such prohibition inapplicable to a servicemember who entered into a refinancing on such residence within the past five years.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2012
Credible Military Option to Counter Iran Act - States that it shall be the policy of the United States to take all necessary measures, including military action if required, to prevent Iran from threatening the United States, its allies, or Iran's neighbors with a nuclear weapon. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) U.S. military exercises in the Persian Gulf emphasize U.S. resolve in support of the above policy; and (2) the President should require the U.S. military to develop a comprehensive plan to augment the presence of the U.S. Fifth Fleet in the Middle East and to conduct military deployments, exercises, or other military readiness activities to underscore such policy. Directs the Secretary of Defense to prepare and submit to the congressional defense committees such a plan. Authorizes appropriations to the Department of Defense (DOD) for FY2012-FY2013 to enhance U.S. military capabilities in the Central Command Area of responsibility (Middle East), including for procurement, research and development, and operation and maintenance. Expresses the sense of Congress in support of specified action to assist in the defense of Israel, including joint missile defense systems, defense articles, intelligence, defense services, and additional weaponry and munitions for the forward-deployed U.S. stockpile in Israel. Directs the President to report to Congress on the status of Israel's qualitative military edge in light of current trends and instability in the region. Directs the Secretary to develop and submit to Congress: (1) a plan to enhance the military capabilities of Persian Gulf allies to bolster their posture in relation to Iran, and (2) a plan to increase the strategic partnership with regional allies to provide U.S. Armed Forces with the broadest set of geographic approaches to militarily access Iran.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2012
Supports Israel's lawful exercise of self-defense up to and including action to stop Iranian aggression, including a strike against Iran's illegal nuclear program.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 2012
Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act of 2012 - Directs the Secretary of State to publish and update a list of each person the Secretary has reason to believe: (1) is responsible for the detention, abuse, or death of Sergei Magnitsky, participated in related liability concealment efforts, financially benefited from Sergei Magnitsky's detention, abuse, or death, or was involved in the criminal conspiracy uncovered by Sergei Magnitsky; or (2) is responsible for extrajudicial killings, torture, or other human rights violations committed against individuals seeking to expose illegal activity carried out by Russian officials, or against persons seeking to promote human rights and freedoms. Makes an alien on such list ineligible to enter or be admitted to the United States. Revokes any visa issued for such person. Authorizes the Secretary to waive such prohibition if in the U.S. national security interest. Requires congressional notification of any such waiver. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to freeze and prohibit U.S. property transactions of an individual who is on the list or who acts as an agent for a listed individual. Authorizes the Secretary to waive such actions if in the U.S. national security interest. Requires congressional notification of any such waiver. Subjects a person who violates, attempts to violate, or causes a violation of such prohibitions to specified penalties. Terminates this Act 10 years after its enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2012
Responsibly And Professionally Invigorating Development Act of 2012 or the RAPID Act - States that the purpose of this Act is to establish procedures to streamline the federal environmental review process established by the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) for major federal actions that are construction projects undertaken, reviewed, or funded by federal agencies. Authorizes: (1) project sponsors to prepare an environmental assessment (EA) or environmental impact statement (EIS) if a lead agency furnishes oversight and independently evaluates, approves, and adopts such document prior to taking action or making any approval based on such document; (2) a lead agency to accept voluntary contributions of funds from a project sponsor for environmental review; and (3) lead agencies to adopt environmental documents that were prepared for other projects in geographical proximity to the project if the projects are similar. Requires: (1) the lead agency to adopt, use, or rely upon secondary and cumulative impact analyses included in documents prepared under NEPA for projects in the same geographic area if such documents are pertinent; and (2) a lead agency to adopt a document that has been prepared for a project under state laws as the EIS or EA for the project if such laws provide environmental protection and opportunities for public involvement that are substantially equivalent to those provided for in NEPA. Requires no more than one EIS and one EA to be prepared for a project. Sets forth provisions concerning the designation of participating agencies in the environmental review process. Precludes any agency that declines to participate in such process from submitting comments on, or taking measures to oppose: (1) the project; (2) any document prepared under NEPA for such project; or (3) any permit, license, or approval related to such project. Requires federal agencies to carry out obligations under other applicable laws concurrently and in conjunction with the review required under NEPA. Sets forth provisions concerning requirements for, and deadlines associated with, initiating and completing environmental review. Requires the lead agency to establish a schedule for completion of environmental review for a project and requires participating agencies to comply with such schedule. Deems a project to be approved in the event that a federal agency fails to approve or disapprove a project within such deadlines. Prohibits a federal agency from being required to evaluate an alternative that was identified but not carried forward for detailed evaluation in, or evaluated and not selected in, any environmental document prepared under NEPA for the same project. Requires cooperating agencies, where a project is being constructed, managed, funded, or undertaken by a sponsor that is not a federal agency, to only be required to evaluate alternatives that the project sponsor could feasibly undertake. Requires the evaluation of each alternative in an EIS or an EA to identify the potential effects of the alternative on employment. Sets forth limitations to claims arising under federal law seeking judicial review of a permit, license, or approval issued by a federal agency for an action subject to NEPA.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 2012
Recognizes, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Korean War, the importance of the contributions and sacrifices made by Korean War veterans. Supports the designation of 2012-2013 as the Year of the Korean War Veteran.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2012
Recognizes Israel's independence as a significant event in providing refuge and a national homeland for the Jewish people and congratulates Israel's people as they celebrate the 64th anniversary of Israel's independence. Commends the bipartisan commitment of all U.S. administrations and congresses since 1948 to stand by Israel and work for its security and well-being. Supports Israel's right to confront and eliminate nuclear threats posed by Iran, including the use of military force if no other peaceful solution can be found within a reasonable time. Congratulates the United States and Israel for the strengthening of bilateral relations in the fields of defense, diplomacy, and homeland security.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2012
Limited End Strength Reduction Act of 2012 - Directs the President, upon determining that a reduction in end strength of the regular Army or Marine Corps (or both) is necessary for any of FY2014-FY2017, to submit to Congress with the budget request for that year a certification that such reduction, should the assumptions of the most recent National Security Strategy prove to be incorrect, will not: (1) undermine the ability of the Armed Forces to meet the requirements of the Strategy, (2) increase U.S. security risks, or (3) compel members of the Armed Forces to endure diminished dwell time and repeated deployments. Prohibits: (1) the Army end strength from being reduced by more than 15,000 during each such year from the end strength of the preceding year; and (2) the Marine Corps end strength from being reduced by more than 5,000 in the same manner. Requires the defense budget for each such year: (1) to include amounts for maintaining an end strength sufficient to comply with current active-duty end strength requirements; and (2) to not rely on any emergency, supplemental, or overseas contingency operations funding.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2012
Pool Safety and Accessibility for Everyone (Pool SAFE) Act - Prohibits any suit brought for violations of the revised regulations of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 concerning the requirements to provide an accessible means of entry to pools for places of public accommodation and commercial facilities that occurred on or after March 15, 2012, and before the date that is one year after enactment of this Act. Bars the Attorney General (AG) from investigating or initiating a compliance review of an alleged violation occurring during such period. Requires dismissal of any suit brought against a place of public accommodation or commercial facility for such a violation brought on or after March 15, 2012, and before the date of enactment of this Act. Directs the AG to revise accessibility regulations to provide that a place of public accommodation or a commercial facility is in compliance with the requirement to have an accessible means of entry to a pool when such a place or facility uses a portable pool lift on request, even if: (1) installation of a permanent lift is readily achievable, and (2) a single portable pool lift is used for multiple pools.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2012
Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should not interpret or construe the Defense Production Act of 1950 to authorize the President or any federal department or agency to confiscate personal or private property, to force conscription into the Armed Forces on the American people, to force civilians to engage in labor against their will or without compensation, or to force private businesses to relinquish goods or services without compensation.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2012
Medicare Pharmacy Transparency and Fair Auditing Act - Amends part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require each contract entered into with a prescription drug plan (PDP) sponsor for the offering of a prescription drug plan to prohibit the PDP sponsor from contracting with any pharmacy benefits manager (PBM) to manage the prescription drug coverage under such plan, or to control the costs of such coverage, unless the manager satisfies specified PBM audit and disclosure requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2012
Contaminated Drywall Safety Act of 2012 - Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary of State should insist that: (1) China, which has ownership interests in the companies that manufactured and exported contaminated drywall to the United States, have the companies meet with U.S. government representatives about remedying affected homeowners; and (2) such companies comply with any related U.S. court decisions. Treats such contaminated drywall as a banned hazardous substance under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act and as an imminent hazard under the Consumer Product Safety Act. Directs the Consumer Product Safety Commission to promulgate rules for: (1) the exemption of certain drywall determined to be non-hazardous, and (2) the identification and disposal of contaminated drywall. Subjects a person who fails to comply with the requirements of this Act to specified penalties under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2012
Servicemember Family Protection Act - Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to provide that if a court renders a temporary order for custodial responsibility for a child based solely on a deployment or anticipated deployment of a parent-servicemember, then the court shall require that upon the return of that servicemember from deployment the custody order that was in effect preceding such deployment shall be reinstated, unless the court finds that reinstatement in not in the child's best interest. Prohibits a servicemember's deployment or possible deployment from being considered in the determination of a child's best interest in a motion seeking a permanent order to modify custody. Provides that under a temporary custody order, if a state law provides a higher standard of protection to the deploying parent-servicemember, then the appropriate court shall apply the higher standard.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2012
United States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act of 2012 - States that it is U.S. policy to: (1) reaffirm the commitment to Israel's security as a Jewish state, (2) provide Israel with the military capabilities to defend itself and help preserve its qualitative military edge, (3) expand military and civilian cooperation, (4) assist in a negotiated settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that results in two states living side by side in peace and security, and (5) encourage Israel's neighbors to recognize Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state. Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should take specified actions to assist in Israel's defense.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2012
Veteran Emergency Medical Technician Support Act of 2012 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a program consisting of awarding demonstration grants to states that demonstrate a shortage of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) to streamline state requirements and procedures in order to assist veterans who completed military EMT training while serving in the Armed Forces to meet state EMT certification, licensure, and other requirements.
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 · 29 February 2012
Recognizes the significance of Black History Month as an important time to recognize the contributions of African-Americans in the nation's history. Encourages the continued celebration of this month to provide an opportunity for all peoples of the United States to learn more about the past and to better understand the experiences that have shaped the nation. Recognizes that the ethnic and racial diversity of the United States enriches and strengthens the nation. Encourages states to include in their year-round educational curriculum the history and contributions of African-Americans in the United States and around the world.
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 · 27 February 2012
Congratulates the Palm City Community in Martin County, Florida, on its 100th anniversary.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2012
Contractor Opportunity Protection Act of 2012 - Amends the Small Business Act to consolidate Small Business Administration (SBA) provisions relating to contract bundling (the consolidation of two or more procurement requirements into a solicitation for a single prime contract that is unlikely, because of its size or complexity, to be suitable for award to a small business). Requires the Procurement Activity (Activity) of a federal department or agency (agency), at least 45 days prior to the issuance of a solicitation, to provide to that Activity's procurement center representative a copy of the proposed procurement together with, among other things, the number of small businesses that could be excluded from bidding if the contract is a bundled contract. Requires the SBA Administrator, in the case of a previously bundled contract that is to be recompeted as a bundled contract, to determine, among other things, the amount of savings and benefits achieved under the bundling. Requires a procurement center representative who believes that a procurement as proposed will render small business prime contract participation unlikely to recommend to the Activity alternative procurement methods to increase small business contracting opportunities. Requires the head of an agency, before proceeding with an acquisition strategy that could lead to a bundling of contract requirements, to conduct market research to determine whether bundling is necessary and justified. Allows a small business, in the case of a bundled contract, to submit an offer that provides for the use of a team of subcontractors for contract performance. Directs the Administrator to develop and maintain a database of information on each bundled contract awarded by an agency and each small business displaced as a prime contractor as a result of such award. Requires annual reports from the Administrator to the congressional small business committees on federal contract bundling, including cost savings and impact on small businesses. Requires: (1) each federal agency to include in each solicitation for any multiple award contract above certain thresholds a provision soliciting bids from any responsible source, including small businesses and teams or joint ventures of small businesses; and (2) the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council to establish and publish a government-wide policy regarding contract bundling.
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 · 16 February 2012
Directs the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to make appropriate arrangements for the award of a gold medal in honor of Dr. Shakeel Afridi in recognition of his activities to identify and provide intelligence regarding Osama Bin Laden's location.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2012
Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate to make arrangements for the presentation of a congressional gold medal to Jack Nicklaus in recognition of his service to the nation in promoting excellence and good sportsmanship. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike such gold medal and to strike and sell duplicate bronze medals at a price sufficient to cover the costs of the gold and bronze medals.