United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2006
Education Assessment Technical Corrections Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Act of 1965 to except teachers in hard to staff areas from the requirement that all teachers teaching in core academic subjects within a state be highly qualified not later than the end of the 2005-2006 school year. Requires teachers in hard to staff areas, instead, to satisfy at least 80% of the requirements to be highly qualified by the end of the 2006-2007 school year, and satisfy all of them by the end of the following school year. Revises requirements for assessments of student groups in measuring the adequate yearly progress of the state, and of all public schools and local educational agencies (LEAs) in the state, toward enabling all public elementary school and secondary school students to meet the state's student academic achievement standards. Provides that a student group which has failed to meet or exceed achievement standards may satisfy assessment requirements if it met such standards in the immediately preceding year. Authorizes the testing of disabled students at their instructional level, rather than grade level, provided they show progress in accordance with individualized education programs. Permits states to change the method of counting students who are in more than one group. Revises the sanctions for schools which fail an assessment by reason of a group of no more than four students from designation as needing improvement to mandatory redirection of funds to the needs of such group. Requires the Secretary of Education to make recommendations to Congress for increasing the percentage of limited English proficient students and disabled students who meet or exceed state academic achievement standards.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2006
Designates Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania as visa waiver program countries under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2006
Intercountry Adoption Reform Act of 2006 or the ICARE Act - Establishes an Office of Intercountry Adoptions within the Department of State to be headed by the Ambassador at Large for Intercountry Adoptions. Transfers to the Office all functions with respect to intercountry adoptions currently performed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to revise: (1) conditions for automatic citizenship for children born outside the United States, including for adopted children; and (2) requirements concerning the history of parents' physical presence in the United States or its possessions. Defines the term "full and final adoption." Prescribes procedural requirements for the adoption of foreign-born children by U.S. citizens. Establishes a nonimmigrant W-visa for an adoptable child coming into the United States for adoption by a U.S. citizen and spouse or by an unmarried U.S. citizen at least 25 years of age who has been approved by the Office of International Adoption of the Department of State. Sets forth the period of authorized admission for such a nonimmigrant. Exempts adopted children of 18 years of age or younger (currently, 10 years of age or younger) from immunization requirements. Redefines the term "adoptable child." Requires U.S. citizen adoptive parents to obtain approval of an adoption petition prior to issuance of a visa or a full and final adoption decree. Subjects such petitions to the terms applicable to orphan petitions. Directs the Secretary of State to issue regulations: (1) establishing an expedited reapproval process for families whose prior approvals to adopt have expired; and (2) governing the appeal of petition denials. Prescribes procedural requirements for the issuance of a visa and a full and final adoption decree for foreign-born children, including requirements for the Ambassador to: (1) determine whether a child is an adoptable child; and (2) work with the competent authorities of the child's country of residence to establish a process for the exchange and approval of a certification that the child sought to be adopted meets the definition of an adoptable child. Requires the Secretary to issue a final decision regarding the child's eligibility as an adoptable child within 30 days. Allows an appeal. Provides for civil penalties and enforcement.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2006
Honors former President William Jefferson Clinton on the occasion of his 60th birthday on August 19, 2006, and extends best wishes to him and his family.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2006
Congratulates the people and government of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the 15th anniversary of the closure of the world's second largest nuclear test site in the Semipalatinsk region of Kazakhstan. Commends Kazakhstan for advancing the cause of nonproliferation by dismantling its nuclear and biological weapons and facilities. Calls upon the Administration to establish a joint working group with the government of Kazakhstan to assess the environmental damage and health effects caused by nuclear testing in the Semipalatinsk region by the former Soviet Union.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2006
Declares that the House of Representatives: (1) supports efforts to identify, track, and pursue suspected foreign terrorists and their financial supporters by tracking terrorist money flows and uncovering terrorist networks here and abroad in accordance with existing applicable law, but notes that the expression of such support in this resolution should not be construed as providing additional authority for such efforts; and (2) expresses concern that the unauthorized disclosure of classified information may have made efforts to locate terrorists and terrorist networks, and disrupt their plans, more difficult.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2006
Commends the Magen David Adom Society for its long and distinguished record of humanitarian assistance to all in need, even those responsible for atrocities against Israeli civilians. Congratulates the Magen David Adom Society, and the government and the people of Israel, for securing full membership in the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Thanks the President, the Secretary of State, U.S. diplomatic representatives, the American Red Cross, the government of Switzerland, and officials of the International Committee of the Red Cross for their efforts that culminated in the Magen David Adom Society's acceptance as a full member in the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Commends the President for: (1) submitting the Third Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions to the Senate for its advice and consent; and (2) preparing related legislation for congressional consideration and enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2006
Protection Against Transmission of HIV for Women and Youth Act of 2006 - States that it shall be U.S. policy to: (1) pursue a global HIV prevention strategy that emphasizes the needs of married and unmarried women and girls and addresses the factors that lead to gender disparities in HIV infection rates; and (2) balance funding for HIV prevention methods. Directs the President to: (1) formulate and submit to the appropriate congressional committees, and make available to the public, a comprehensive and culturally appropriate global HIV prevention strategy that addresses the HIV vulnerability of married and unmarried women and girls and seeks to reduce the factors that lead to gender disparities in HIV infection rates; (2) ensure that the United States coordinates its overall HIV/AIDS policy and programs with foreign governments, international organizations, other donor countries, and indigenous organizations; (3) provide clear guidance to U.S. field missions; and (4) implement a monitoring and evaluation system.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2006
Congratulates: (1) the Miami Heat for winning the 2006 National Basketball Association (NBA) World Championship; and (2) Dwayne Wade for winning the 2006 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2006
Urges: (1) the International Monetary Fund, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank), the Inter-American Development Bank, and other multilateral financial institutions to cancel Haiti's debts to them under the Enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative and the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative; and (2) the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct U.S. Executive Directors at such institutions to use U.S. influence to accomplish this goal.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2006
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) a commemorative postage stamp should be issued by the U.S. Postal Service honoring Varian Fry; and (2) the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee should recommend to the Postmaster General that such a stamp be issued.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2006
Honors the town of Nicodemus, Kansas, for its contribution to American history. Commends and encourages the preservation efforts of the National Park Service and the residents of Nicodemus.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2006
Safe Climate Act of 2006 - Amends the Clean Air Act to direct the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to promulgate: (1) targets for a 2% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions each year from 2010-2050 ; and (2) regulations requiring reductions to meet such targets, including by setting caps on emissions of sources and sectors with the largest emissions or the best opportunities to reduce them, by issuing and authorizing trading of emission allowances, and by imposing penalties for excess emissions. Requires relevant federal agencies to finalize a rule to carry out the National Academies' recommendations for regulatory action needed to reduce atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations or explain their reasons for declining to act. Requires the President to submit to Congress a plan for the distribution of emission allowances (including through auctions) and the use of proceeds (to be deposited in a Climate Reinvestment Fund) for specified goals, including mitigating the effects of energy cost increases and climate change. Requires the EPA to ensure that emissions and allowances are accurately tracked, reported, and verified. Authorizes the emission reduction regulations to include: (1) additional requirements for any source or sector; and (2) performance standards, best management practices, and technology-based requirements. Requires such regulations to set standards for the reduction of greenhouse emissions from motor vehicles at least as quickly as the standards adopted by the California Air Resources Board at its September 2004 hearing. Requires the EPA to revise such standards in 2014 and every five years thereafter to further reduce emissions. Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to direct the Secretary of Energy to: (1) require, beginning in 2009, an annual increase in the percentage of electric energy generated from renewable sources that is sold at the retail level in the United States and to require such percentage to be at least 20% of the total electricity sold by 2020; and (2) set end-user savings targets for retail electric-energy and natural gas suppliers. Authorizes DOE to: (1) increase the required percentage of end-user savings for years after 2020; and (2) allow suppliers to achieve the targets through a market-based trading system.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 2006
Decent Working Conditions and Fair Competition Act - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to revise the prohibition on importing convict-made goods into the United States to make it unlawful to: (1) import into, or export from, the United States any sweatshop good; or (2) introduce into commerce, sell, trade, or advertise in commerce, offer to sell, or transport or distribute in U.S.commerce, any sweatshop good. Grants the President, for reasons of national interest, authority to recommend waiver of the applications set forth in this Act in connection with the goods of any country with respect to one or more of the principles and rights defined in this Act as a core labor standard. Sets forth procedures for consideration of such a waiver. Makes it unlawful for persons to introduce into commerce, sell, trade, or advertise in commerce, offer to sell or transport or distribute in commerce any sweatshop good. Requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to enforce this prohibition as if it were an unfair or deceptive act or practice proscribed under the Federal Trade Commission Act. Allows specified persons with standing to bring a civil action in U.S. district courts against sellers of goods, wares, articles, or merchandise on grounds of a violation of such prohibition. Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 and federal law regarding the Armed Forces to prohibit executive agencies from entering into procurement contracts for sweatshop goods.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 2006
Reaffirms the importance of the relationship between the United States and the European Union (EU). Recognizes that the United States and Europe face multiple and common challenges and must continue to adapt the transatlantic partnership which has served both so well. Expresses support for the success of the June 2006 US-EU Summit in Vienna, Austria, and encourages agreements on issues such as support for global freedom, democracy, and human rights, a successful conclusion of the World Trade Organization Doha Development Agenda, and a workable transatlantic energy security strategy. Joins with the European Parliament in agreeing to continue to strengthen the transatlantic partnership by enhancing dialogue and collaboration between the U.S. Congress and the European Parliament through the Transatlantic Legislators Dialogue and other legislative exchanges.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2006
Men's Health Act of 2006 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) the Office of Men's Health to coordinate and promote the status of men's health in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2006
Medicare Part D Deadline Equality Act of 2006 - Provides that any special enrollment period for 2006 established under Medicare part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act for subsidy-eligible individuals, and any waiver of a late enrollment penalty applicable to such individuals, shall apply to all notified part D eligible individuals without regard to whether or not they are subsidy-eligible individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2006
The Dean Gallo Cancer Patient Compassion Act of 2006 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to waive the 24 month waiting period for Medicare coverage of certain individuals with distant stage cancer.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2006
Guarantee of Medical Accuracy in Sex Education Act - Prohibits a federal agency from providing funds or assistance to an entity for the development of course material or the provision of instruction on human development and sexuality if such material or instruction will include medically inaccurate information. Directs such an agency to require a sufficient assurance that such material or instruction will not include medically inaccurate information. Defines "medically inaccurate information" as information related to medical, psychiatric, psychological, empirical, or statistical statements that is unsupported or contradicted by peer-reviewed research by leading medical, psychological, psychiatric, and public health organizations and agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2006
Praises the U.S. diplomatic staff of the U.S. Interests Section in Havana, Cuba, for their actions in support of freedom for the Cuban people. Condemns the Cuban regime's: (1) harassment of such personnel; and (2) 47 years of brutality and oppression against the Cuban people. Supports the Cuban people's right to exercise fundamental political and civil liberties, including freedom of expression, assembly, association, movement, the press, and the right to multiparty elections.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2006
Comprehensive Veterans' Data Protection and Identity Theft Prevention Act of 2006 - Places upon the Secretary of Veterans Affairs an affirmative obligation to protect from any data breach the sensitive personal information of veterans and any other individuals that the Department of Veterans Affairs possesses, creates, or maintains, as well as information or tools (including passwords and encryption keys) used to protect the integrity of such data. Requires the Secretary to: (1) implement and maintain reasonable security policies and procedures to protect such information; and (2) prescribe policies and procedures regarding employee and third party access to, and use of, such information which the Department receives, maintains, or transmits. Directs the Secretary, upon discovery of a data breach, to: (1) notify the United States Secret Service, the Department's Inspector General, the congressional veterans' committees, and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC); (2) notify each individual whose information was acquired or accessed by an unauthorized person; and (3) place a conspicuous notice on the Department's Internet website. Requires the Secretary, upon request of an affected individual, to: (1) include a fraud alert in the file of the individual with each nationwide consumer reporting agency; (2) apply a security freeze to the file of such individual; and (3) provide free damage mitigation services, including credit monitoring and annual copies of consumer credit reports. Establishes within the Department an Ombudsman for Data Security.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2006
Protection for Participants in Research Act of 2006 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require all human subject research conducted, supported, or otherwise subject to federal regulation, to be conducted in accordance with the Common Rule and the vulnerable-population rules, as set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to review and harmonize such regulations. Requires informed consent before an individual may be a subject of human research. Requires an Institutional Review Board to approve all human subject research proposals. Directs the Secretary to establish criteria for identifying and monitoring high-risk human subject research projects. Prohibits grants or awards to a public entity or private academic institution that does not have a program to educate investigators and Board members on the protection of human research subjects. Prohibits the use of federal funds for classified human subject research if: (1) the Board has waived the informed consent requirement; or (2) the research is exempt from Board review. Establishes the Office of Human Research Protections within the Office of the Secretary. Requires the Director of the Office to: (1) provide for the protection of human research subjects; (2) establish criteria regarding assurance of compliance with Common Rule requirements; and (3) coordinate federal activities with respect to the protection of human research subjects. Authorizes the Director to make grants for a model education program. Requires the Secretary to promulgate regulations enhancing the protection of people with diminished decisionmaking capacity participating in human subject research.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2006
Condemns the vote by the British National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education (NATFHE) on May 29, 2006, to boycott Israeli academics and academic institutions that refuse to declare their opposition to the government and State of Israel. Finds NATFHE's criticism of Israeli policy particularly objectionable given the Israeli government's courageous and far-reaching contributions to peace. Urges the University and College Union (UCU) to nullify and void the NATFHE resolution and issue a statement deploring the campaign to boycott Israeli academia. Commends the British government and leading academics for criticizing the NATFHE resolution. Deplores any comparison between Israel, where all citizens are equal before the law, and the former apartheid regime in South Africa. Urges governments and educators throughout the world to reaffirm the importance of academic freedom and open dialogue.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2006
Supports the goals and ideals of National Homeownership Month, and recognizes the importance of homeownership in building strong communities and families.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2006
Expresses the sense of Congress that it is the goal of the United States that by January 1, 2025, U.S. agricultural, forestry, and working land should provide from renewable resources not less than 25% of the total U.S. energy consumption and continue to produce safe, abundant, and affordable food, feed, and fiber.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2006
Congratulates the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative on ten years of significant achievement in the search for an HIV/AIDS vaccine. Expresses support for the continued success of the Initiative.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2006
Internet Gambling Study Commission Act - Establishes the Internet Gambling Study Commission to: (1) conduct a comprehensive study of Internet gambling, including the existing legal framework that governs such activities and transactions; (2) report to the President and Congress on study findings and conclusions; and (3) transmit a copy of such report to each state governor or chief executive officer and Native American tribal government.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2006
Comprehensive Cancer Care Improvement Act of 2006 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage of comprehensive cancer care planning services. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a two-year demonstration project for Medicare payment for comprehensive cancer care symptom management services furnished by an eligible entity in accordance with a described plan. Directs the Secretary to make grants to eligible entities for establishing a new, or expanding an existing, palliative care and symptom management program for cancer patients. Directs the Secretary to make grants to eligible entities to improve the quality of graduate and postgraduate training of physicians, nurses, and other health care providers, as well as continuing professional education, in palliative care and symptom management for such patients. Requires the Director of the National Institutes of Health to establish a program of grants for research on palliative care, symptom management, communication skills, and other end-of-life topics for such patients.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2006
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) it remains a priority for further improvement in U.S.-Libya relations that the government of Libya make a good faith effort to resolve all outstanding claims of U.S. victims of Libyan-supported terrorism; (2) the Secretary of State should not accept the credentials of any representative of the government of Libya until the government of Libya has met its financial commitments to each of the personal representatives of U.S. victims of Pan Am Flight 103 who accepted the settlement with the government of Libya; and (3) the President should urge the government of Libya to make a good faith effort to resolve the claims of those killed or injured in the LaBelle Discotheque bombing, and all other outstanding cases of U.S. victims of Libyan-supported terror.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2006
Calls on the government of Iran to cease repressive activities aimed at the Iranian Baha'i community and holds the government of Iran responsible for upholding the rights of its nationals, including the Baha'i community. Requests the President to: (1) call for the government of Iran to emancipate the Baha'i community by granting those rights guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights covenants; (2) emphasize that the United States regards the government of Iran's human rights practices as a significant factor in U.S.-Iran foreign policy; and (3) initiate a consistent dialogue with other governments and the European Union (EU) in order to persuade the government of Iran to rectify its human rights practices.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2006
Veterans Identity Protection Act of 2006 - Directs the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to: (1) certify in writing to Congress that any individual whose personal information is compromised due to lax data security at the VA has been appropriately notified in writing of such compromise; and (2) provide free of charge to each such individual credit monitoring services during the one-year period beginning on the date of this Act's enactment and a copy of the affected individual's credit report (in addition to any other credit report provided under otherwise applicable law) once annually during the two-year period beginning on the date on which the credit monitoring services terminate.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2006
Congratulates the residents of Jerusalem and the people of Israel on the thirty-ninth anniversary of the reunification of that historic city. Believes that Jerusalem must remain an undivided city in which the rights of every ethnic and religious group are protected as they have been by Israel during the past 39 years. Calls upon the President and Secretary of State to affirm as a matter of U.S. policy that Jerusalem must remain the undivided capital of Israel. Urges: (1) the President to discontinue the waiver contained in the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 and begin the process of relocating the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem; and (2) U.S. officials to refrain from any actions that contradict U.S. law on this subject.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2006
Fostering Our Future Act of 2006 - Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 to require, for grants to the highest state courts for foster care proceedings, that the state in which the courts are located has laws and procedures in effect that will ensure that the courts measure their performance with respect to children under the court's jurisdiction. Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary of Education to forgive the student loan debt of a borrower who: (1) enters a written agreement with the Secretary to remain employed full-time as a family law, dependency, or domestic relations attorney for at least three years; and (2) is not in default on a loan for which the borrower seeks forgiveness. Limits the amount that the Secretary may pay to no more than $6,000 in any year for any borrower or $50,000 in the aggregate for any borrower. Authorizes the Secretary to renew such agreements. Directs the Comptroller General to conduct a comparative study of state dependency courts and foster care systems. Expresses the sense of Congress with respect to: (1) court accountability for improved child outcomes; (2) the organization of state dependency courts; (3) building the pool of attorneys qualified to handle cases in dependency courts; and (4) training, caseloads, and compensation of attorneys for children.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2006
Congratulates the people and government of Mongolia on the 800th anniversary of Mongolian statehood, and commends the people and government of Mongolia for their commitment to democracy and economic reform. Affirms that the United States is proud to be considered Mongolia's "third neighbor," and supports efforts to strengthen strategic, political, economic, educational, and cultural ties between the two countries. Urges the government of Mongolia to take further steps to fight corruption and provide greater accountability in government operations. Encourages private investment and increased business ties between investors in both countries, and increased people-to-people ties through expanded academic, cultural, and sports exchanges. Supports increased Mongolian participation in international organizations and initiatives.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2006
Commemorates the 60th anniversary of the ascension to the throne of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand. Offers congratulations to His Majesty King Bhumibol and best wishes for continued prosperity to his Majesty and the Kingdom of Thailand. Looks forward to enduring ties of friendship between the Thai and American people.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2006
Calls for legislation to be enacted by October 1, 2008, to guarantee that every person in the United States is entitled to receive all medically necessary care under a system of care that meets specified requirements, including that: (1) the system provides a single universal standard of excellence in care; (2) such care is affordable to all and there are no financial barriers to needed care; (3) the system provides comprehensive benefits and promotes prevention and early intervention; and (4) the system maximizes consumer choice of health care providers.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2006
Requests the President, and directs the Attorney General, to submit to the House of Representatives all documents in the possession of the President and the Attorney General, including all legal opinions, relating to requests made without a warrant by the National Security Agency (NSA) or other federal departments and agencies to telephone service providers, including wireless telephone service providers, for access to telephone communications records of persons in the United States, subject to necessary redactions or requirements for handling classified documents.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2006
Protecting America's Miners Act - Expresses the sense of Congress concerning the need for congressional intervention to maintain a highly trained Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) inspector workforce. Amends the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 to revise safety standards for mines, including by requiring: (1) atmospheric detection and warning systems; (2) certain communication technologies; (3) emergency underground caches of air and self-contained breathing equipment; (4) self-rescue devices and training; (5) underground refuges; and (6) electronic tracking devices. Deems violations of such standards as the creation of imminent danger to miners. Requires the Secretary of Labor to establish within the Mine Safety and Health Administration a central communications emergency call center for mine operators. Requires operators to report any emergency or serious mine incident to the center no later than 15 minutes after becoming aware of the incident. Requires operators to ensure the availability and capabilities of mine rescue teams. Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations regarding mine rescue teams and accident investigations. Requires the Secretary to contract with the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board or other independent federal investigative authority to investigate an accident upon the request of the authorized miners' representative or representatives of a majority of the families of the miners killed (or who could have been killed) in such accident. Requires the MSHA inspector or district manager to notify operators and miners' representatives when a potential pattern of violations is identified. Imposes penalties and miner withdrawal requirements. Revises penalties for safety standards and notification violations. Establishes, within the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Labor, the position of Miner Ombudsman. Requires the Secretary to: (1) develop mandatory standards that implement the recommendations of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) concerning flammability of conveyor belts; (2) improve standards concerning seals for abandoned areas in mines; (3) inspect the seals of coal mines that are composed of nontraditional materials to ensure they are constructed in a safe manner; and (4) develop standards requiring a concentration of not more than 1.0 milligram of respirable dust per cubic meter of air. Abolishes for five years the ceilings on the number of MSHA mine inspector personnel that may be employed. Authorizes MSHA to hire retired inspectors in cases of shortages. Requires NIOSH to consider new technologies and those that could be adapted for use in facilitating survival of miners during emergencies.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2006
Veterans Mental Health Care Access Improvement Act of 2006 - Modifies requirements for appointment to positions in the Veterans Health Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) by establishing eligibility requirements for licensed mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2006
Family Fairness Act of 2006 - Amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to make an employee eligible for coverage under such Act if that employee has been employed for at least 12 months by a covered employer with respect to whom such leave is requested. (Eliminates the requirement, under current law, that the employee have served at least 1,250 hours during the 12-month period before the leave request.)
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2006
Lawful Intelligence and Surveillance of Terrorists in an Emergency by NSA Act or LISTEN Act - States that specified provisions of federal criminal law concerning wire and electronic communications and their interception and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) shall be the exclusive means by which domestic electronic surveillance may be conducted. Directs the President to ensure that: (1) all electronic surveillance of persons in the United States is conducted within those exclusive means; and (2) the procedures for applying for an order for electronic surveillance under FISA continue to be adequate for the timely and efficient electronic surveillance of appropriate targets. Requires: (1) the President to report to the congressional intelligence and judiciary committees upon a determination that such procedures are inadequate; and (2) the report to contain findings and recommendations with respect to emergency or routine applications for such orders. Authorizes appropriations to the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) for activities of the Office of Intelligence Policy and Review to ensure the timely and efficient processing of applications to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2006
Medicare Teaching Anesthesiology Funding Restoration Act of 2006 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) to set forth a special payment rule of 100% of the fee schedule amount for teaching anesthesiologists involved in the training of physician residents, if certain presence and availability requirements are met.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2006
HOPE VI Reauthorization Act of 2006 - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to extend appropriations for FY2007-FY2011 for demolition, site revitalization, replacement housing, and tenant-based assistance grants for public housing projects. Extends the sunset date for such assistance to September 30, 2011.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2006
Shoulder-Fired Missile Threat Reduction Act of 2006 - Defines "MANPADS" as: (1) a surface-to-air missile system designed to be man-portable and carried and fired by a single individual; or (2) any other surface-to-air missile system designed to be operated and fired by more than one individual acting as a crew and portable by several individuals. States that it is U.S. policy to assist foreign governments to secure, remove, or eliminate stocks of MANPADS and other conventional weapons that pose a proliferation, security, or humanitarian threat. Authorizes the Secretary of State to carry out an accelerated global program to secure, remove, or eliminate stocks of MANPADS and other conventional weapons that pose a proliferation, security, or humanitarian threat. States that it should be U.S. policy to hold foreign governments accountable for knowingly transferring MANPADS to state-sponsors of terrorism or terrorist organizations. Directs the President, upon a determination that a foreign government which has repeatedly supported acts of international terrorism knowingly transfers MANPADS to a foreign government or a terrorist organization, to: (1) report such information to the appropriate congressional committees; and (2) impose specified foreign assistance and military assistance sanctions on the transferring government. Exempts humanitarian assistance from such prohibition. Authorizes a national security waiver. Expresses the sense of Congress that the U.S. government should pursue strengthened international diplomatic efforts to: (1) limit the availability and proliferation of MANPADS; and (2) exert diplomatic pressure to influence member country compliance with such efforts. Directs the Secretary to report to the appropriate congressional committees respecting MANPADS and conventional weapons threat reduction.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2006
Energy Fairness for America Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to terminate: (1) the tax deduction for oil and gas intangible drilling and development costs; (2) the percentage depletion allowance for oil and gas wells; and (3) the tax credit for enhanced oil recovery costs. Repeals provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 relating to: (1) oil and gas royalties in-kind; (2) marginal property production incentives; (3) incentives for natural gas production in the Gulf of Mexico; (4) royalty suspension for deep water production; (5) the inventory of Outer Continental Shelf oil and natural gas resources; (6) the ultra-deepwater and unconventional natural gas and other petroleum resources program; (7) Alaska offshore royalty suspension; (8) accelerated depreciation of electric transmission property, natural gas distribution lines, and natural gas gathering lines and expensing of liquid fuel refinery property; (9) the exemption of small oil refiners from limitations on the oil depletion allowance; and (10) two-year amortization of geological and geophysical expenditures. Requires certain large integrated oil companies to revalue their LIFO inventories of crude oil, natural gas, or other petroleum productions using a specified formula. Limits or denies the foreign tax credit and tax deferrals for dual capacity taxpayers (taxpayers receiving economic and tax benefits from certain foreign jurisdictions), foreign oil and gas income, and foreign oil and gas extraction income.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2006
Commends the people and government of Ukraine for: (1) holding free parliamentary elections on March 26, 2006; and (2) their commitment to democracy and freedom. Acknowledges the strong relationship between the United States and Ukraine, and reaffirms support for Ukraine's independence, territorial sovereignty, and full integration into the international community of democracies.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2006
Condemns the terrorist attacks on Dahab and Northern Sinai, Egypt and other terrorist attacks directed against Egypt. Expresses condolences to the families and friends of those killed in the attacks and expresses sympathies to those who were injured. Joins with President George W. Bush in expressing the solidarity of the people and government of the United States with the people and government of Egypt. Expresses readiness to support the Egyptian authorities' efforts to bring to justice those persons responsible for such attacks and to pursue and dismantle the responsible networks.
![Official portrait of Rep. Wexler, Robert [D-FL-19]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/w000314_200.jpg)