United States · United States Congress · 17 December 1985
Amends Federal provisions concerning death benefits payable to military dependents to increase such benefit to $3,000 plus an amount equal to two months' housing allowance in effect at the time of the member's death. Directs the Secretary of the military department concerned to provide survivors of a deceased member who are occupying Government quarters at the time of the member's death a reasonable period of time before being required to vacate such quarters.
United States · United States Congress · 12 December 1985
Removes the prohibition on withholding, without the employees' consent, city or county taxes from the pay of an employee who is not a resident of, or whose regular place of Federal employment is not within, the State in which such city or county is located.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 1985
Calls upon the President to direct the Agency for International Development to work in a global effort to provide universal access to childhood immunization by 1990 by: (1) assisting in the delivery, distribution, and use of vaccines; and (2) performing and supporting research and development activities that will be targeted at developing new vaccines and at modifying existing vaccines to make them more appropriate for use in developing countries. Declares that the President should appeal to the public to provide the necessary resources to achieve universal access to childhood immunization by 1990. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to increase the authorization of appropriations for FY 1987 for the Child Survival Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should take measures to encourage the Government of Indonesia to: (1) allow and maintain access into East Timor for humanitarian organizations, journalists, church delegations, and human rights groups; (2) guarantee freedom of expression for the Roman Catholic Church in East Timor; (3) allow an impartial international examination of population limitation measures and the conditions that exist in areas where East Timorese have been resettled by Indonesian authorities; (4) allow qualified international observers to be present at the trials of East Timorese political prisoners; and (5) work with the U.S. and Portuguese governments to develop peace initiatives for East Timor.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that Canada should carry out its pledge to discontinue the imposition of Federal excise tax on imported U.S. tourism literature.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 1985
Amends the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 to authorize the President to provide for educational exchanges, visits, and interchanges between U.S. and Soviet youths under 21. Authorizes the President to award a scholarship for study in the Soviet Union in a program approved by a U.S. institution of higher education to any exceptional student who maintains a satisfactory proficiency in such student's studies and who: (1) is under 25; and (2) is enrolled in that institution. Provides that such exchanges and scholarships shall be known as the Samantha Smith Memorial Exchange and Scholarship Program. Earmarks specified funds for FY 1986 and 1987 to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 1985
House of Representatives Election Campaign Act - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to provide for public financing of House of Representatives general election campaigns. Sets forth conditions of eligibility for, and entitlement to, payment. Establishes the formula for determining such payments, based upon State voting-age populations and whether a candidate is of a minor or major political party. Declares that eligible candidates are entitled to such payments only to defray qualified campaign expenses. Authorizes additional entitlements to opponents of nonpublicly financed candidates to match those contributions or expenditures raised, incurred, or expended which are in excess of the opponent's entitlement. Requires the Federal Election Commission to certify to the Secretary of the Treasury the full amount to which an eligible candidate is entitled. Directs the Secretary to establish the House of Representatives General Election Campaign Fund for the deposit of funds for payments to eligible candidates. Directs the Commission, after each election, to audit the campaign expenses of publicly financed candidates. Requires such candidates to repay any excess amounts received. Establishes criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Directs the Commission to report to the House after each election on actions taken under such Act. Provides for judicial review of such Commission actions.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 1985
Establishes the American Slavery Memorial Council whose duty it will be to plan, construct, and oversee the operation of a museum memorializing the victims of American slavery. Specifies the number, method of appointment, and terms of Council members. Authorizes the Council to purchase real property within the District of Columbia, accept gifts of real and personal property, and enter into contracts in pursuit of its duties under this Act. Subjects the museum's design, and any Federal agency's transfer of real property in the District of Columbia to the Council, to the approval of the Commission of Fine Arts and the National Capital Planning Commission. Sets the pay and allowances to be provided to Council members. Directs the President to appoint an executive director of the Council upon the recommendation of the Council chairperson. Sets forth miscellaneous provisions regarding Council powers. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 and 1988, but prohibits their use for museum construction. Terminates the Council's authority to construct the museum if such construction is not commenced within five years with funds sufficient to ensure its completion.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1985
Designates May 25, 1986, as Hands Across America Day. Authorizes and requests the President to commend: (1) United Support of Artists for Africa for their Hands Across America project; and (2) the American people for their commitment to helping people help themselves.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1985
Small Contribution Tax Credit Reform Act of 1985 - Amends the the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the income tax credit for contributions to presidential, state, and local candidates, political action committees, and newsletter fund contributions. Allows an income tax credit for congressional candidate contributions. Limits the amount of such credit to $100 for a taxable year ($200 in the case of a joint return).
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 1985
Civil Service Supplemental Retirement System Act of 1985 - Title I: Civil Service Supplemental Retirement System - Establishes a Civil Service Supplemental Retirement Plan for Federal employees, postal employees, and Members of Congress who began service after December 31, 1983. Sets forth provisions for the benefit plan including: (1) eligibility for an annuity after five years of creditable service; (2) entitlements to retirement based on age and years of service; (3) the formulas for computing an annuity; (4) survivor election reductions; and (5) funding. Sets forth provisions for mandatory retirement for air traffic controllers, law enforcement officers, and firefighters. Establishes a Thrift Savings Plan under which participants may contribute up to 10 percent of their annual basic pay. Requires employing agencies to contribute the lesser of: (1) 50 percent of amounts contributed by the employee; or (2) three percent of such employee's basic pay. Provides for the payment of benefits, lump sum or annuity, at the employee's separation from service. Establishes in the Treasury the Thrift Savings Fund for the deposit and accounting of amounts under the Plan. Prescribes how money in such Fund shall be invested. Describes survivor annuities under the supplemental retirement plan. Describes disability benefits for employees who have completed five years of creditable service. Sets forth general and administrative provisions. Directs the Office of Personnel Management to pay all benefits payable under the benefit plan and administer provisions not specifically assigned to another entity. Directs the Office to adjudicate all claims under provisions it administers. Provides for annual cost-of-living adjustments in basic pensions based upon an increase in the Consumer Price Index. Provides for withholding of State income taxes from retirement annuities. Declares that basic annuities, survivor annuities, and disability benefits are exempt from legal process (i.e. levy, attachment, garnishment) unless otherwise provided by Federal law. Establishes in the executive branch the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board to be responsible for policies and regulations for, and review of, the investment and management of the Thrift Savings Fund. Directs the Board to establish an Employee Thrift Advisory Council to advise the Board on matters relating to investment policies for the Fund. Directs the Board to appoint an Executive Director to carry out its policies, invest and manage the fund, and administer provisions of the Thrift Savings Plan. Title II: Amendments to Chapter 83 of Title 5, United States Code - Provides for civil service retirement for certain employees excluded from the supplemental retirement plan. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the Federal Employees' Retirement Contribution Temporary Adjustment Act of 1983 to extend its provisions until January 1, 1987. Allows employees covered under such Act to elect participation in the supplemental retirement plan. Title IV: Effective Dates - Declares this Act in effect on January 1, 1987, with specified exceptions.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 1985
Designates 1986 as Save for the U.S.A. Year. Requests the President to initiate a nationwide campaign, to be known as the Buy Back America campaign, to encourage the people of the United States to buy U.S. savings bonds and certificates and thereby reduce borrowings from foreign sources. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to enhance the marketability of such bonds and certificates.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1985
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants for the establishment or support of adolescent health demonstration projects. Requires such projects to: (1) provide nutrition and hygiene counseling, health care related to sports, family planning education and services, prenatal and postpartum care, family life and parenting counseling, and alcohol and drug abuse education and treatment; (2) serve adolescents before their graduation from high school; (3) encourage family participation; and (4) establish community advisory committees. Directs the Secretary to give priority to project applicants who will serve areas with low-income or minority populations. States that no grant funds may be used to perform or pay for abortions. Requires parental consent for adolescents to receive services provided by such projects. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress by December 1, 1992.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1985
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States: (1) should not sell advanced weapons to Jordan; (2) should ensure that Israel retains its qualitative military edge in the Middle East; and (3) should focus its efforts on bringing Jordan into direct peace negotiations with Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 1985
Retirement Income Policy Act of 1985 - Sets forth national retirement income policy goals. Title I: Amendments to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 - Subtitle A: Participation Requirements - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to add definitions which distinguish between "retirement plans" and "nonretirement savings plans." Defines a retirement plan as a pension plan which meets the retirement income requirements established by this Act. Defines a nonretirement savings plan as any pension plan which is not a retirement plan as defined in this Act. Prohibits conversion of a retirement plan to a nonretirement savings plan. Sets forth retirement income requirements for retirement plans. Permits retirement plans to distribute the accrued benefits to the participant upon the participant's disability or death or separation from service, under certain conditions. Prohibits such distribution upon separation from service unless: (1) the participant is at least 59 1/2 years old; or (2) (if the participant is younger than 59 1/2 years old) the distribution is in one of the described retirement income forms. Requires that retirement plan distributions commence by: (1) the end of the plan year in which the employee: (1) attains age 70 1/2; or (2) the end of a later plan year in which an employee (who is not an owner-employee) retires. Sets forth the following descriptions of permissible "retirement income forms" for distributions upon separation from service to participants under 59 1/2 years old: (1) an annuity for the life of the participant; (2) a qualified joint and survivor annuity; or (3) a level distribution over life expectancy (which may be adjusted annually to account for certain changes). Allows such distribution forms to be adjusted periodically to allow for supplemental benefits prior to the receipt of Social Security benefits, provided such supplemental benefits do not exceed the amount of anticipated Social Security benefits. Permits retirement plans to transfer, upon separation from service, the accrued benefit of the plan participant directly to an individual retirement annuity, or another retirement plan. Revises pension plan participation and vesting provisions to add plan coverage requirements applicable to employers. Requires each employer who maintains a pension plan for an employee in the the employer's relevant work force to provide that each such employee who is under the Social Security contribution and benefit base is eligible to participate in a retirement plan maintained by the employer. Sets forth special rules in the case of allowable subdivisions of the relevant work force. Allows an employer to meet such coverage requirements by maintaining one or more retirement plans. Sets forth a special rule for contributory plans. Eliminates the three-year rule under minimum participation standards. Requires, as a prerequisite for the employer's maintenance of a nonretirement savings plan covering an employee, the employer to maintain at least one retirement plan covering that employee and accruing benefits at specified levels. Subtitle B: Limitations on Contributions and Benefits - Allows a qualified pension plan to include a cash or deferred arrangement (CODA) only if such plan is a retirement plan and if the CODA meets certain requirements. Requires the CODA to provide that the covered employee may elect to have the employer make payments: (1) as contributions to a trust under the plan on behalf of the employee; or (2) to the employee directly in cash. Requires the CODA to provide that the employee has a nonforfeitable right to the employee's accrued benefit derived from employer contributions made to the trust pursuant to the employee's election. Requires that specified CODA discrimination standards be applied to the relationship between deferral percentages of highly compensated employees and other eligible employees. Requires that such CODA requirements be met by each allowable subdivision. Limits the maximum amount of covered compensation. Provides that the amount of a participant's compensation for any year which may be taken into account under a pension plan for purposes of determining benefits and contributions may not exceed 500 percent of the Social Security contribution and benefit base. Sets forth a special rule for self-employed individuals. Subtitle C: Vesting Standards - Revises minimum vesting standards to require the full vesting of any participant who has completed the following years of service: (1) five, in the case of retirement plans; (2) one, in the case of nonretirement savings plans; and (3) ten, in the case of multiemployer plans. Subtitle D: Pension Integration - Sets forth rules against discriminatory treatment of qualified pension plan participants. Revises rules governing integration of retirement plans, with title II (Old Age, Survivors' and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act and other Federal or State retirement programs. Subtitle E: Coverage and Portability - Provides that certain early distributions from a retirement plan which are not made in a retirement income form must be transferred directly to an individual retirement account or individual retirement annuity designated by the participant (or, if such designation is not made within a specified time, selected by the plan administrator). Provides that specified provisions relating to cash-outs of survivor annuities shall apply only to distributions made as transfers meeting the requirements for early distributions set forth under this Act. Prohibits distributed benefits from being treated as other than nonforfeitable solely because such distribution is made as permitted under such survivor annuity cash-out provisions. Subtitle F: Effective Date and Related Rules - Set forth effective dates for amendments made by this title. Sets forth a special rule for such effective dates in the case of plans maintained pursuant to collective bargaining agreements. Makes technical amendments. Title II: Amendments to the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 - Subtitle A: Participation Requirements - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to make revisions similar to the revisions made to ERISA under title I, subtitle A of this Act. Specifies that maintenance of adequate retirement plan coverage is a requirement for qualification of pension, profit-sharing, and stock bonus plans under IRC. Subtitle B: Limitations on Contributions and Benefits - Permits employees to make qualified voluntary employee contributions only to a retirement plan. Provides that certain contributions to employees' annuities are deductible. Amends IRC provisions relating to cash or deferred arrangements (CODAs) to require that employers with allowable subdivisions meet specified nondiscrimination rules separately in each allowable subdivision. Makes conforming amendments. Amends IRC provisions relating to special rules for individual retirement plans to reduce the amount of deductible contributions an individual may make to an individual retirement account or annuity (IRAs) in a taxable year by the amount of: (1) any employer contributions made to a CODA on behalf of that individual in any plan year ending in that taxable year; and (2) any qualified voluntary employee contributions for that taxable year. Revises IRC provisions relating to limitations on benefits and contributions under qualified plans to coordinate such limitations with the Social Security wage base according to specified formulas. Makes the limitation on benefits under defined benefit plans the lessor of: (1) 100 percent of compensation; or (2) 200 percent of the Social Security wage base. Makes the limitation on contributions to a defined contribution plan is the lesser of: (1) 20 percent of compensation; or (2) 50 percent of the Social Security wage base. Provides that one-half of the after-tax employee contributions are to be as an annual addition. Adds special limitations on qualified contributions to CODAs and nonretirement savings plans under the overall defined contribution limit. Limits the amount of a plan participant's or self-employed individual's compensation that may be taken into account for determining benefits and contributions to no more than 500 percent of the Social Security contribution and benefit base. Limits payments by employers pursuant to qualified CODAs by disallowing contributions and other additions with respect to a participant to the extent they include payments made by the employer for any year to a trust under the plan pursuant to a CODA in excess of 25 percent of the Social Security contribution and benefit base. Limits contributions and other additions with respect to a participant, in the case of a nonretirement savings plan by disallowing any annual addition which is greater than the lesser of: (1) 25 percent of the Social Security contribution and benefit base; or (2) ten percent of the participant's compensation. Provides that a specified rule relating to a limitation in cases of a defined benefit plan and a defined contribution plan for the same employee is applicable only in the event that at least one of such plans is a top-heavy plan. Makes conforming amendments relating to the taxation of annuity income. Subtitle C: Vesting Standards - Amends IRC provisions relating to minimum vesting standards to make revisions similar to the revisions made to ERISA under title I, subtitle C of this Act. Subtitle D: Pension Integration - Amends IRC provisions relating to integration of retirement plans with title II (OASDI) of the Social Security Act and other Federal and State retirement plans to make revisions similar to some of the revisions made to ERISA under title I, subtitle D of this Act. Subtitle E: Distributions - Repeals the ten-year forward average and capital gains treatment of lump-sum distributions. Raises the rate of the additional tax on early distributions from IRAs. Subtitle F: Coverage and Portability - Amends IRC provisions relating to restrictions on certain mandatory distributions to make revisions similar to some revisions made to ERISA under title I, subtitle F of this Act. Sets forth special rules for simplified employee plans (SEPs). Permits a salary reduction arrangement which is elected by an employee under an SEP. Sets forth provisions for the treatment of such salary reduction arrangements. Imposes fiduciary duties with respect to SEPs. Prohibits integration of SEPs with Social Security provisions. Limits to 500 percent of the Social Security contribution and benefit base the total compensation considered for purposes of establishing uniform contributions to an SEP. Subtitle G: Effective Date - Sets forth effective dates for amendments made by this title. Sets forth an effective date for application of such amendments to IRAs. Sets forth a special rule for such effective date in the case of plans maintained pursuant to collective bargaining agreements.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 1985
States that a person shall be considered an American national if such person completes 15 years of lawful continuous residence in the United States or American Samoa, and one of his or her parents was a national of the United States and a resident of the United States or American Samoa at the time of that person's birth.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 1985
Declares that the Congress calls upon the President to direct the Agency for International Development (AID) to work in a global effort to provide support toward achieving the goal of universal access to childhood immunization by the year 1990. Sets forth specified actions to be taken by AID, in conjunction with the World Health Organization and UNICEF, in reaching such goal. Urges the President to seek both private and public assistance in the United States to achieve universal access to childhood immunization.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1985
Declares that the Congress deplores the President's notification to the U.N. Secretary General that the United States is withdrawing from the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice, and reaffirms its support for the international rule of law and the role of the Court.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1985
Simultaneous Nuclear Test-Ban Act - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President, before January 1, 1986, should declare that the United States will stop testing nuclear warheads and will invite the Soviet Union to meet with the United States to enter into negotiations for the conclusion of a Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty at the earliest possible date. Declares that the United States should continue the cessation of the testing of nuclear warheads so long as the Soviet Union refrains from the testing of nuclear warheads and substantive Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty negotiations are in progress. Expresses the sense of the Congress that during such cessation the President should seek resumption of the comprehensive test ban talks between the United States, Great Britain, and the Soviet Union. Prohibits the United States from obligating or spending any money for testing nuclear warheads during the six-month period beginning on January 1, 1986, if the President does not declare such a cessation of nuclear testing. Authorizes such spending if the President certifies to the Congress that the Soviet Union on or after January 1, 1986, tested a nuclear warhead. Requires the President to include in any such certification: (1) an unclassified report summarizing the basis for the certification; and (2) a classified report describing the Soviet activities that are the basis for the certification. Requires the President to report annually to the Congress on: (1) the progress in nuclear arms control negotiations with the Soviet Union; and (2) whether the President believes that continuation of the cessation of nuclear testing is in the U.S. national security interest.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1985
Emergency Home Foreclosure Relief Act of 1985 - Requires the implementation of a home credit emergency plan in each State or home credit region in which the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development determines a home credit emergency exists (based upon home loan delinquencies and unemployment). Includes within such plan provisions for: (1) temporary moratoriums on home loan foreclosures; and (2) home credit emergency mediation boards which shall attempt to arrange creditor-home owner agreements. Requires the chief executive of any State where an emergency is declared to submit an emergency plan to the Secretary for approval. Directs the Secretary to devise a standard plan to replace disapproved State plans. Requires the States to implement approved or standard plans. Authorizes the Secretary to provide repayment guarantees or direct assistance to specified debtors. Sets forth eligibility criteria. States that the filing by a debtor of a petition for assistance under this Act shall act as a stay against foreclosure until: (1) a creditor-debtor agreement is reached; (2) the Secretary denies a petition for repayment guarantees or direct assistance; or (3) the period of such assistance payments expires. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1985
Law Enforcement Officers Protection Act of 1985 - Amends the Federal criminal code to define "armor-piercing ammunition." Excludes from the definition: (1) shotgun shot composed in order to comply with Federal or State law; (2) frangible projectiles for target shooting; (3) ammunition containing frangible projectiles; and (4) any ammunition or projectiles which the Secretary of the Treasury determines are primarily intended for sporting purposes. Makes it unlawful for any person to manufacture or import armor-piercing ammunition. Allows: (1) the manufacture or importation of armor-piercing ammunition for the use of the United States or any State or local government; (2) manufacture for the sole purpose of exportation; or (3) manufacture or importation for the purposes of testing and experimentation authorized by the Secretary. Establishes a licensing fee of $1,000 per year for manufacturers and importers of armor piercing ammunition. Authorizes the Secretary to revoke a license from a dealer for violating this Act. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to promulgate regulations allowing for special marking on armor-piercing communication and packaging. Establishes an additional mandatory sentence for any person who during and in relation to the commission of a violent crime carries a firearm and is in possession of armor-piercing ammunition capable of being fired by such firearm.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1985
Comprehensive Nuclear Weapons Freeze and Arms Reduction Act of 1985 - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should immediately invite the Soviet Union to enter into negotiations with the United States which seek an agreement on a comprehensive freeze (a bilateral and adequately verifiable halt by the United States and the Soviet Union in all testing, production, and deployment of nuclear weapons systems). Declares the President should inform the Soviet Union of the U.S. intention to engage in a bilateral halt in the testing, production, and deployment of nuclear weapons systems. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) both during and after negotiations for a comprehensive freeze the President should pursue reductions in nuclear arsenals; and (2) a comprehensive freeze is entirely consistent with, and an essential part of mutual stabilizing reductions in nuclear forces. Requires both the Senate and the House Intelligence Committees to begin oversight hearings on verification procedures for the comprehensive freeze. Sets forth which committees and subcommittees may have members participate in such hearings. Requires the Intelligence Committees to report to their respective Houses within six months of enactment of this Act on the adequacy of U.S. monitoring systems and existing procedures for verifying Soviet compliance with the comprehensive freeze. Requires the reports to include: (1) an assessment of the nature and extent of Soviet activities and installations involved in the testing, production, and deployment of nuclear weapons systems; (2) an assessment of current U.S. capabilities to monitor threatening changes in the status of Soviet nuclear forces under the comprehensive freeze; and (3) an assessment of additional monitoring systems and cooperative procedures that may be needed to increase monitoring confidence of compliance. Requires the Director of the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency to begin preparing an operational plan for implementation of the comprehensive freeze. Requires the Director to report to the Congress on the plan within nine months of enactment of this Act. Requires the report to specify: (1) procedures for the cessation of activities and closure or conversion of facilities affected by the comprehensive freeze; (2) a program for the retraining and re-employment of Government and defense industry personnel directly affected by the termination of nuclear weapons-related activities; and (3) a program of economic adjustment assistance for adversely affected communities. Directs the President to submit semi-annual reports to the Congress on: (1) the status of U.S. and Soviet negotiation efforts; (2) Soviet military activities relating to the testing, production, and deployment of nuclear weapons systems; and (3) any uncertainties concerning verification of the comprehensive freeze, the status of efforts to reduce those uncertainties, and the national security implications of those uncertainties. Imposes the following restrictions on nuclear testing, deployment, and production only if the Soviet Union, within a specified time, informs the President that the Soviet Union will observe a bilateral halt in the testing, production, and deployment of nuclear weapons systems. Prohibits obligating or spending appropriations for testing, producing, or deploying nuclear weapons systems, unless the Congress expressly provides otherwise. Allows the testing and deployment of specified nuclear missiles for a limited time. Sets forth the effective dates of such restrictions. Authorizes the President to request the Congress to remove the funding restrictions on the testing, production, and deployment of nuclear weapons systems only if the President certifies to the Congress that: (1) the Soviet Union has failed to demonstrate a restraint with respect to nuclear weapons systems which corresponds to the restraint being shown by the United States; or (2) continuation of the funding restrictions would cause significant and irreparable damage to U.S. national security. Provides for expedited congressional consideration of such a request by the President.
![Official portrait of Rep. Wheat, Alan [D-MO-5]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/w000326_200.jpg)