United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1978
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that total appropriations shall not exceed estimated revenues. Authorizes the suspension of such prohibition in time of war or national emergency. Prohibits any increase in the national debt as it exists on the date this article is ratified. Sets forth a schedule for repayment of the national debt.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1978
Establishes a National Agricultural Cost of Production Board to review, and advise the Secretary of Agriculture concerning, the adequacy and accuracy of the cost-of-production formulas used by the Department of Agriculture in connection with the administration of its price support programs.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1978
Amends Title II (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to require States having agreements for coverage of their employees under the system of insurance established by such Title to make payments and reports on a calendar-quarter basis.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1978
Directs the Secretary of Defense, in computing incentive pay for medical officers of the uniformed services, to prescribe a system through which variable incentive pay may be reduced or adjusted to reflect amounts the Federal Government has paid to, or benefits received by, medical officers prior to the commencement of their active duty.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1978
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits the levels of total budget outlay and new budget authority for any fiscal year from exceeding the corresponding level for the previous year by a percentage greater than the average annual percentage increase of the gross national product during the three calendar years immediately preceeding the beginning of the applicable fiscal year. Provides an exception to the restriction established by this Act in time of war or national emergency.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1978
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that total appropriations shall not exceed estimated revenues. Authorizes the suspension of such prohibition in time of war or national emergency. Prohibits any increase in the national debt as it exists on the date this article is ratified. Sets forth a schedule for repayment of the national debt.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1978
Prohibits Congress from making any appropriations in excess of total estimated revenues in any fiscal year beginning with fiscal year 1980. Provides an exception to such prohibition in time of war or national emergency. Prohibits any increase in the national debt. Requires the repayment of the national debt during the next 100 years.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1978
Establishes an administrative procedure and guidelines to be followed by a newly created office of the Department of the Interior in determining whether or not Indian Tribes shall be granted Federal recognition.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 1978
Urges the Attorney General to seek dismissal of the indictments of three former high-level officials of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; L. Patrick Gray III, W. Mark Felt, and Edward S. Miller.
United States · United States Congress · 31 May 1978
Amends the Commodity Exchange Act to: (1) extend the Commodity Futures Trading Commission through fiscal year 1981; (2) exclude from the definition of commodity trading advisor any dealers of cash commodities and products thereof; (3) provide for appointment of the Commission Chairman by the President, to serve at the President's pleasure; and (4) subject the use and expenditure of funds by the Chairman to the budget categories, plans, and priorities established by the Commission. Prohibits any Commissioner or employee of the Commission from making any appearance before, or communication to, the Commission on behalf of any person on any particular matter before the Commission for the period of a year following his or her last day of service. Sets forth the procedure for designating a board of trade as a contract market. Prohibits any person from engaging in commodity option transactions without express permission from the Commission. Subjects all proposed rules and regulations governing options trading to the veto prerogative of either House of Congress. Allows the registration of Commission merchants and floor brokers to extend beyond December 31st and to expire not earlier than one year from the date of issuance. Extends to six months the time during which the Commission must act on the application for registration of any commodity trading advisor or commodity pool operator. Applies the anti-fraud provisions of such Act to all advisors and pool operators regardless of whether they are registered or not. Requires a hearing on the record for: (1) refusal, suspension, or revocation of contract market designations; (2) cease and desist orders; and (3) imposition of civil penalties. Grants subpena power to members of the Commission and any Administrative Law Judge or other officer designated by them. Grants concurrent jurisdiction to State agencies or officials to investigate or prosecute civil violations of such Act committed by any persons or organizations other than a designated contract market or a board of trade licensed by the Commission. Prohibits the Commission from making public disclosure of any data or information which would separately disclose the market positions, business transactions, trade secrets or names of customers not previously disclosed publicly in a judicial or congressional proceeding. Authorizes the Commission to require fingerprinting of applicants for registration as Commission merchants or associates. Increases from $2,500 to $5,000 the amount of damages that may be claimed in complaints that may be adjusted without a hearing.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 1978
Federal Biological Control Organisms Act - Prohibits the movement of any biological control organism into, through, or within the United States without the authorization of the Secretary of Agriculture. Grants detention and search authority to inspectors. Establishes criminal penalties for the knowing violation of any regulations promulgated under this Act. Authorizes the Secretary, independently or in cooperation with Federal, State, and local government agencies, and with the governments of all countries of the western hemisphere, to eradicate, suppress, control, or prevent or retard the spread of any biological control organism which has been found to be harmful to agriculture or the production of food and fiber.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1978
Establishes an administrative procedure and guidelines to be followed by a newly created office of the Department of the Interior in determining whether or not Indian Tribes shall be granted Federal recognition.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1978
Tanker Safety Improvement Act - Amends the Ports and Waterways Safety Act of 1972 to require that vessels subject to such Act be constructed and operated using the best available pollution prevention technology. Requires that vessels of more than 20,000 deadweight tons which are documented under the laws of the United States and engaged in the carriage of oil in bulk to ports of the United States and for which construction is contracted for or begun after January 1, 1978, be equipped with a segregated ballast capacity.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1978
Prohibits the Secretary of State from issuing a passport to a minor, or issuing a passport to a parent that includes a minor, unless the parent swears or affirms that the removal of the minor from the United States will not violate the terms of a child custody order issued by a State court.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1978
Declares (1) that the Department of the Treasury does not possess authority to implement certain proposed firearms transaction reporting regulations, (2) that such proposed additional recordkeeping requirements serve no useful purpose and are wasteful, and (3) that the Department must seek explicit congressional authorization before proposing any rules or regulations for centralizing records required under existing firearms law.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1978
Establishes an administrative procedure and guidelines to be followed by a newly created office of the Department of the Interior in determining whether or not Indian Tribes shall be granted Federal recognition.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1978
Amends the Trade Act of 1974, with respect to the authority of the President to negotiate trade agreements, to direct the President to reserve any article for which an agreement limiting agricultural imports has been entered into, from negotiations to reduce or eliminate customs duties or import restrictions.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1978
Botulism Prevention Act - Prohibits the Secretary of Agriculture, for a two-year period, from issuing any order or regulation: (1) restricting the use of nitrites or nitrates as preservatives in meat products beyond the degree recommended in the final report of the Department of Agriculture's Expert Panel on Nitrates, Nitrites, and Nitrosamines; or (2) requiring labeling on meat products concerning nitrites or nitrates in addition to the requirements in effect on January 1, 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1978
Urges the Secretary of Defense not to include within the competitive rate program (under which services are procured for the movement of the household goods of Department of Defense employees) the movement of household goods of Department personnel who are being transferred between the continental United States and Alaska or Hawaii.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1978
Expresses the condemnation by the Congress of the March 11, 1978, attack on Israel by the Palestine Liberation Organization, and the expressed intention of the PLO to continue such attacks and to disrupt the peace efforts between Israel and Egypt. Requests the President to make the disapproval of the Congress known to governments approving the PLO attack. Expresses Congressional approval of the peace efforts between Israel and Egypt. Urges other Middle East countries to join such efforts. Declares negotiation to be the best way to bring peace to the Middle East.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1978
Agricultural Credit Act - Title I: Amendments to the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to establish a low-income farm ownership loan program for owners or operators of small or family farms, and to extend eligibility for farm ownership, equipment and operating loans to farm cooperatives. Provides loans for agricultural, animal, or poultry waste pollution abatement and control facilities. Increases the maximum allowable total principal indebtedness for real estate loans which may be outstanding by any one borrower to $200,000, or $300,000 in the case of a guaranteed loan. Removes the $500,000 ceiling from the aggregate principal of loans made using the Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund. Raises the ceiling on the annual aggregate amount of water and waste facility grants from $300,000 to $400,000, and increases from 50 percent to 75 percent the percentage of the development cost of such facilities which a grant may cover. Increases the amount of indebtedness which may be outstanding for operating loans for an individual from $50,000 to $100,000, or in the case of a guaranteed loan, $200,000. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to purchase the guaranteed portion of any rural development loan using funds from the Rural Development Insurance Fund and the guaranteed portion of all other loans with funds from the Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund. Replaces the current provision for an up to five-year renewal of an operating loan with a provision for the consolidation or rescheduling of outstanding loans for payment over a period not to exceed seven years from the date of such consolidation or rescheduling. Authorizes the Secretary to make loans and grants, and approve transfers and assumptions under such Act in connection with property securing a loan made, insured, or held by the Secretary notwithstanding the fact an area ceases to be eligible for assistance under the Act. Authorizes the Secretary to provide a procedure for appeal and review of determinations by a county committee that a loan applicant is able to obtain sufficient credit elsewhere to finance his actual needs at reasonable rates and terms. Increases from $15,000 to $25,000 the amount of a claim that can be compromised without approval of the Administrator of the Farmers Home Administration. Authorizes the Secretary to grant a moratorium upon the payment by an individual of interest and principal on a loan, if there is a showing of temporary inability to continue making payments which is beyond the individual's control. Title II: Emergency Agricultural Credit Adjustment Act - Authorizes the Secretary to insure or guarantee loans for the purpose of making payment of principal and interest installments or refinancing, in whole or in part, equipment or operating loans, giving preference to owners of small or family farms. Permits the Secretary to guarantee up to 90 percent of such loans. Limits the total principal balance outstanding on insured or guaranteed loans to $400,000. Allows the total outstanding principal indebtedness of any borrower to reach $150,000 without approval of the senior State official of the Farmers Home Administration. Limits the total principal amount of all outstanding loans under this title during 1978 to $2,000,000,000 and during 1979 to $4,000,000,000. Terminates such program on December 31, 1979. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Extends the Emergency Livestock Credit Act through September 30, 1979. Renames the Farmers Home Administration the Farm and Rural Development Administration.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1978
Expresses the sense of the Congress that any right to, title to, or interest in the property of the United States Government agencies in the Panama Canal Zone or any real property and improvements thereon located in the zone should not be conveyed, relinquished, or otherwise disposed of to any foreign government without specific authorization of such conveyance, relinquishment, or other disposition by any Act of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1978
Amends the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to make annual grants to assist States in carrying out public shoreline erosion management measures in the Great Lakes region. Authorizes grants to States to: (1) acquire private shoreline property where necessary to protect adjacent public land; (2) relocate existing structures endangered by erosion; and (3) carry out erosion management measures. Limits the amount of any such grant to 80 percent of the estimated cost of a State's proposed erosion management measures during the year such grant is made. Requires a State, as a condition of eligibility for such a grant, to implement an erosion management assistance plan approved by the Secretary. Sets forth the types of financial aid which a State erosion management assistance plan must provide to private shoreline property owners. Requires a State to furnish the Secretary with information and records concerning its erosion management assistance plan. Directs the Secretary, in allocating aid among the States, to consider: (1) the length of the Great Lakes shoreline within each State; (2) comparative recession rates of each shoreline; and (3) the proportion of shoreline in each State which is subject to high erosion. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1978
Amends rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives to prohibit the inclusion in any appropriation bill or amendment thereto of a provision which changes existing law or imposes any limitation not contained in existing law.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1978
Expresses the insistence of the House of Representatives that the Government of the Republic of Korea cooperate with a certain investigation of the House of Representatives Committee on Standards of Official Conduct. Declares that failure of the Government to cooperate with such investigation will have a negative impact on relations between the United States and the Republic of Korea, including assistance for the latter country.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1978
Prohibits, during the fiscal years 1978 and 1979, the use of funds appropriated to the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare to carry out a program on smoking and health described by the Secretary of such Department on January 11, 1978. Stipulates that programs on smoking and health for the period beginning October 1, 1977 and ending January 10, 1978, shall not be affected. Limits the use of funds which were projected on or before January 11, 1978, to be expended to carry out the program on smoking and health, announced on such date, to expenditures for additional research during 1978 or 1979 on the harmful properties of tobacco and dangerous effects of smoking.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1978
Agricultural Trade Act - Title I: Establishment of United States Agricultural Trade Offices - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1954 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish abroad not less than six nor more than 25 United States Agricultural Trade Offices, for the purpose of developing, maintaining, and expanding international markets for United States agricultural commodities. Title II: Intermediate Commercial Credit - Amends the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to require the Corporation to finance, under its export credit sales program, export sales of agricultural commodities out of its own private stocks on credit terms in excess of three years, but not more than ten years. Title III: Reorganization - Establishes in the Department of Agriculture: (1) an Assistant Secretary for Commodity Programs, to perform duties related to agricultural stabilization and conservation; and (2) an Under Secretary for International Affairs to perform duties related to foreign agriculture. Title IV: Agricultural Counselors - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1954 to change the title of Agricultural Attaches to Agricultural Counselors, and to require each Counselor to submit to the Secretary an annual report detailing the social, political and economic factors affecting agriculture and agricultural trade in the country or area to which such Counselor is assigned. Title V: General Provisions - Requires the Secretary to transmit to Congress annual reports on the activities and accomplishments of the Department, especially those of the United States Agricultural Trade Offices, in developing, maintaining, and expanding foreign markets for United States agricultural commodities.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1978
Creates a select committee in the House of Representatives to study the effectiveness of measures being taken by the United States and foreign countries to alleviate the threat of terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 29 November 1977
Declares it the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare should not include in the National Guidelines for Health Planning any guidelines which would directly or indirectly cause the closing of any small, rural hospital which is the only hospital providing primary care services to a local community.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 1977
Biennial Budgeting Act - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to establish a two-year cycle for the congressional budget process. Requires each standing committee of Congress to review the laws and programs under its jurisdiction every other year and to consider the desirability of new legislation in such areas. Requires separate consideration for authorizing legislation, budget resolutions, and appropriation bills.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 1977
Directs the Secretary of Defense to place a plaque and a permanent display of medals, ribbons, and tributes of the Vietnam era on the crypt at the National Cemetery at Arlington, Virginia, reserved for an unknown American serviceman who lost his life in Southeast Asia. Directs the Secretary to perform the duties required by this Act even though the remains of such serviceman have not yet been placed in the crypt.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1977
Declares that there be no reduction of customs duties on textile or apparel products and that such products be excluded from the current Tokyo Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations in Geneva.
United States · United States Congress · 14 October 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize any taxpayer to elect to have any portion of any overpayment of tax or any contribution in money which the taxpayer forwards with the return for such taxable year be available, as the taxpayer may designate on such return, for the National Endowment for the Arts or the National Endowment for the Humanities.
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 1977
Telephone Privacy Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit unsolicited commercial telephone calls to a telephone subscriber who has notified the telephone company that he does not wish to receive such calls. Directs the Federal Communications Commission to prescribe regulations specifying the manner in which a telephone subscriber shall notify the telephone company that he does not wish to receive unsolicited calls. Prescribes criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Excludes from the definition of "unsolicited commercial telephone calls" calls made in response to an express request of the individual called or made in connection with an overdue debt or contractual obligation.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1977
Declares that the President should establish a Commission on Domestic and International Hunger and Malnutrition which should: (1) collect and generate information and resources on food, hunger, malnutrition and related concerns; (2) assess current programs affecting domestic and international hunger and malnutrition; (3) analyze and report its findings and recommendations to the President, the Congress, and the public; and (4) assist the President and the Congress in implementing its recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1977
Amends the National Trails System Act by requiring the Secretary of the Interior to study the feasibility of designating the Overmountain Men Victory Trail in the States of Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina, as a national scenic trail.
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 1977
Motor Carrier Act - Amends the Interstate Commerce Act to direct the Interstate Commerce Commission in the performance of its duties with respect to motor carriers to consider maximum reliance on competitive market forces, the encouragement of new motor carriers, and participation by women and minorities in the motor carrier industry as being in the public convenience and necessity. Sets forth standards which the Commission must apply in determining whether to issue certificates of public convenience and necessity. Stipulates that a party applying for a certificate shall have the burden of showing that it meets the necessary requirements, that a party opposing the issuance shall have the burden of proving that the proposed service is not consistent with the public convenience and necessity, and that a finding that the proposed service is not consistent with the public convenience and necessity must be supported by a preponderance of the evidence. Stipulates that such standards and requirements regarding proof shall be applicable in the case of applications for permits for contract carriers by motor vehicles. Sets forth procedural time limits during which the Commission must dispose of applications pertaining to common or contract motor carriage. Directs the Commission to review and remove from existing commodity classifications those common and contract carrier operating right restrictions which limit the specific types of commodities that may be carried and the routing necessary to serve authorized points. Stipulates that the Commission may approve a certificate or permit transfer only if it is demonstrated by clear and convincing evidence that such a transaction will not substantially lessen competition or tend to create a monopoly. Prohibits the Commission from approving any transaction between two or more motor contract carriers if such transaction would cancel or revoke substantial portions of duplicative operating certificates. Prohibits the Commission from approving a consolidation or merger agreement between two or more carriers subject to the Interstate Commerce Act unless it is demonstrated by clear and convincing evidence that such a transaction would not substantially lessen competition or tend to create a monopoly. Revises the definition of "interstate commerce" with respect to motor carriers to exclude the transportation of property if such service has been interrupted after it has arrived in one State from another State and such property is to be transported within that State or to any point not more than 50 miles from the place of arrival. Directs the Secretary of Transportation in consultation with the States to develop recommendations to provide a more efficient and equitable system of State regulations for interstate motor carriers.
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 1977
Child Health Assurance Act - Amends Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require early, periodic screening of physical and mental defects in children under the age of 21 who are members of families eligible for Aid to Families with Dependent Children. Establishes a Child Health Assurance Program under Medicaid. Requires State Medicaid plans to include child health assessments and primary care to specified individuals under the age of 21. Directs that child health care assessments be provided only by a health care provider who enters into an agreement with the State agency responsible for the administration of the Medicaid plan to: (1) provide to specified individuals periodic health assessments; (2) provide a minimum range of diagnostic and treatment services; (3) arrange for referrals where necessary; (4) be readily accessible on an ongoing basis; (5) provide for timely followup services; (6) make required reports to the State or Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. Allows an individual who has received a health assessment to remain eligible for all care and services provided under the State plan for six months after such individual's family has become ineligible for Medicaid or Aid to Families with Dependent Children. Sets forth requirements which a State Medicaid program must meet in administering a Child Health Assurance Program. Provides for reimbursement for payments made by the States in providing services under the program. Allows the Secretary to reduce, by 20 percent, a State's Medicaid funds if the State does not comply with the standards promulgated for the Child Health Assurance Program. Allows the Secretary to make additional payments to States that have met specified criteria for good performance of the State's Child Health Assurance Program. Repeals the previous provision of the Social Security Act relating to appropriations for Child Health Care Assurance programs.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1977
Amends Title XVI (Supplemental Security Income for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled) of the Social Security Act to make benefits under such Title payable to a resident alien only if such alien has continuously resided in the United States for at least six years. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish procedures to prevent payment of benefits to individuals who become ineligible due to their departure from the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from taxable unrelated income, income derived by tax exempt colleges, universities and their wholly owned corporations from the broadcasting of sporting events.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1977
Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, the National Housing Act, and the Federal Credit Union Act to increase deposit insurance from $40,000 to $100,000 for accounts which qualify as individual retirement accounts and accounts established under qualified plans for the self- employed.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1977
Constitutional Amendment - Requires Congress to assure that the total outlays of the Government, during any fiscal year, do not exceed the total receipts of the Government during such fiscal year. States that by the fourth fiscal year after the ratification of this amendment the budget shall be balanced. Permits expenditures to exceed national revenues in time of declared emergency, but states that such expenditures shall never exceed receipts by more than ten percent. Provides that during the fifth fiscal year beginning after the ratification of this amendment and for the next 19 succeeding fiscal years thereafter, the total receipts of the Government shall exceed outlays by an amount equal to five percent of the Federal indebtedness at the beginning of the fifth year fiscal year.
![Official portrait of Rep. Whitley, Charles O., Sr. [D-NC-3]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/w000419_200.jpg)