United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2008
National Marine Mammal Research Program Act of 2007 - Amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to require the Marine Mammal Commission to establish the National Marine Mammal Research Program and a National Marine Mammal Research Program Office for the Research Program. Includes in the Program's purposes: (1) undertaking research on marine mammals, the factors that affect their populations and habitats, and related mitigation; and (2) coordinating and strengthening scientific research by developing partnerships among federal agencies, academia, industry, and other members of the oceanographic and marine mammal scientific communities. Authorizes the Commission to enter into contracts, make grants, or enter other arrangements as necessary to carry out the Program. Directs the President to create a National Marine Mammal Research Coordinating Committee, including in its duties: (1) developing a national marine mammal research plan; and (2) seeking to enter into an agreement with the National Research Council to periodically evaluate the scientific content of the plan and the implementation of research conducted under the Program.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2008
Lance Corporal Jeremy Burris Act - Amends the federal criminal code to modify the prohibition against destruction of veterans' memorials to include destruction of the grave, headstone, or marker of any person in the Armed Forces and to extend such prohibition to memorials, graves, headstones, or markers on private as well as public property.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2008
Condemns the glorification of terrorism and the continuing anti-Israel and anti-Semitic rhetoric at the United Nations. Calls on the Secretary General of the United Nations and the Secretary of State to take actions against such activities and hold responsible officials and member states for such statements. Calls on the President to use U.S. influence to prevent the use of the U.N. budget to support the planned 2009 Durban Review Conference and to withhold a proportional amount of U.S. contributions to the United Nations should the Durban Review Conference proceed as planned.
United States · United States Congress · 17 January 2008
Amends the Military Construction Act, 1974 to repeal the prohibition against use of the former bombardment area on the island of Culebra (Puerto Rico) for any purpose that would require decontamination of the area at U.S. expense.
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2008
Condemns the People's Republic of China (PRC) for producing unsafe products, disregarding the environment, and exploiting workers. Encourages: (1) U.S. merchants to suspend the importation and sales of goods from the PRC until reforms are made; and (2) U.S. parents to consider the "Made in China" label when purchasing toys due to potential high levels of toxic materials that may cause serious injury or death.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2007
Josh Miller Helping Everyone Access Responsive Treatment in Schools Act of 2007, or the Josh Miller HEARTS Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to award matching grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) to: (1) purchase automated external defibrillators (AEDs) for use in their schools; and/or (2) provide training to meet the requirement that at least five adult employees or volunteers at each school with an AED successfully complete training in its use and in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Requires LEA grant applicants also to demonstrate that: (1) the AEDs are integrated into the schools' medical emergency response procedures; and (2) emergency services personnel are notified of their locations.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2007
National Guardsmen and Reservists Parity for Patriots Act - Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 to back-date to September 11, 2001, the period of active duty or performed active service, in support of a contingency operation or in other emergency situations, for which members of Ready Reserve components of the armed forces shall receive credit in determining eligibility for early receipt of non-regular service retired pay.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2007
Commemorates the courage of the Haitian soldiers who fought for American independence in the Siege of Savannah and for Haiti's independence and renunciation of slavery.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2007
Recognizes the strategic importance of the African continent and welcomes the establishment of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) in Stuttgart, Germany. Urges the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of State, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to work collaboratively and to consult with African partners in implementing AFRICOM's mandate. Encourages African nations to take advantage of AFRICOM to collaborate in promoting peace and stability on the continent.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2007
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the U.S. government should reaffirm its commitment to Taiwan's democracy and security; and (2) international delegations should be encouraged to visit Taiwan to witness the March 2008 presidential elections.
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 2007
National Diabetes Coordinator Act of 2008 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish within the Office of the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) the position of National Diabetes Coordinator, whose duties shall be to: (1) serve as the Secretary's principal advisor on reducing the rates of diabetes and its complications; (2) develop a measurement for the incidence of diabetes; (3) develop and coordinate implementation of a national strategy to reduce the incidence, progression, and impact of diabetes and its complications; (4) provide leadership and coordination to ensure that diabetes-related programs and policies of HHS are coordinated internally and with those of relevant federal, state, and local agencies with a goal of avoiding duplication of effort, maximizing impact, and marshaling all government resources; and (5) coordinate public and private resources to develop and lead a public awareness campaign regarding the prevention and control of diabetes and its complications. Requires reports to the President: (1) from the HHS Secretary on a national strategy to reduce the incidence, progression, and impact of diabetes and its complications; (2) from the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) on negotiations with health plans to include appropriate standards and activities to reduce risk factors for diabetes and encourage prevention and early treatment; and (3) from the Secretary of Agriculture on ways in which food programs and nutritional support can be better targeted at concerns specific to those at risk for diabetes or those already diagnosed whose complications could be reduced by more effective diet.
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 2007
Prohibits the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from authorizing an honor guard to participate in the funeral of any veteran interred in a national cemetery under the control of the National Cemetery Administration unless the honor guard agrees to offer to the family of each veteran in whose funeral the honor guard chooses to participate the option of having it perform one of the 13-fold flag recitations. Expresses the sense of Congress that 13-fold flag recitations are a historical tradition and that it should be the policy of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to authorize honor guards to participate in the funerals of veterans and proactively offer such a recitation to each veteran's family.
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 2007
Condemns the December 11, 2007, terrorist attacks in Algiers, Algeria, and other such attacks against innocents and those who would assist the most vulnerable. Expresses sympathy for the victims of these terrorist attacks and their families. Reaffirms support for the people of Algeria as they recover from these attacks and for their continued struggle against extremism and violence. Expresses readiness to assist the Algerian authorities in their efforts to bring to justice those individuals responsible for such attacks in Algeria.
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 2007
Expresses appreciation to all of the dedicated scientists, engineers, and program personnel who have contributed to the successful development and operation of the Landsat program for the continuous collection of space-based observations of the Earth's land cover by Landsat spacecraft over the past 35 years. Urges the continuation of such program and its long-term and comprehensive record of collecting global land surface data so as to sustain Landsat's value to scientific research, especially the study of global and climate change, and to the multiple applied uses of Landsat data for societal benefit.
United States · United States Congress · 17 December 2007
Objects to any U.N. proposal to fund the Durban Review Conference and preparatory activities through the U.N. regular budget which is itself funded by assessed contributions of member states. Urges the United States to oppose any proposal for funding Durban Review Conference activities through the U.N. regular budget.
United States · United States Congress · 13 December 2007
Code Talkers Recognition Act of 2007 - Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the award of gold medals to Native American code talkers of specified Indian tribes. Defines "code talker" as a Native American who served in the Armed Forces during a foreign conflict and who participated in military communications using a native language. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and Indian tribes, to identify code talkers eligible for a gold medal.
United States · United States Congress · 13 December 2007
Congratulates the Army Reserve on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the enactment of its original authorizing law on April 23, 1908. Recognizes and commends the Army Reserve for the service of its past and present citizen-soldiers whose personal courage, contributions, and sacrifices have helped preserve the freedom and advance the national security and homeland defense of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 12 December 2007
Health Care Choice Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to provide that the laws of the state designated by a health insurance issuer (primary state) shall apply to individual health insurance coverage offered by that issuer in the primary state and in any other state (secondary state), but only if the coverage and issuer comply with the conditions of this Act. Exempts issuers from any secondary state's laws that would prohibit or regulate the operation of the issuer in such state, subject to certain restrictions imposed by such state. Specifies the notice that an issuer must provide in any insurance coverage offered in a secondary state and at renewal of the policy. Requires each issuer issuing individual health insurance coverage in both primary and secondary states to submit to: (1) the insurance commissioners of such states a copy of the plan of operation or feasibility study and written notice of any change in its designation of its primary state and of its compliance with all the laws of the primary state; and (2) the insurance commission of each secondary state a copy of the issuer's quarterly financial statement that was submitted to the primary state. Prohibits an issuer from offering, selling, or issuing individual health insurance coverage in a secondary state if the state insurance commissioner does not use a risk-based capital formula for the determination of capital and surplus requirements for all issuers. Gives sole jurisdiction to the primary state to enforce the primary state's covered laws in the primary state and any secondary state. Requires the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on the effect of this Act on specified health insurance issues.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2007
Welcomes the recommendations contained in the March 2007 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank) report "Crime, Violence, and Development: Trends, Costs, and Policy Options in the Caribbean." Urges the United States, other drug-consuming countries, and the Caribbean countries to increase counter-narcotics efforts in the Caribbean region.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 2007
Commends all countries that worked to ratify the amendments to the Bonn Accords to allow for open access to the Holocaust Archives located in Bad Arolsen, Germany. Congratulates the efforts of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, the Department of State, and the International Committee of the Red Cross to open the archives. Encourages the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the International Committee of the Red Cross to act with urgency to ensure that survivors, their families, and researchers have access to, and assistance in using, the archives. Remembers the murder of six million innocent Jews and of more than five million other innocent victims committed by the Nazis and their collaborators.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2007
NASA Innovation Fund and Sponsorship Act of 2007 - Establishes within the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) a NASA Innovation Fund into which amounts collected from charitable donations or in accordance with the Innovation Fund Sponsorship Program (created by this Act) shall be transferred. Authorizes and sets limits on the use of amounts in the Fund for: (1) advertising prize competitions under NASA's Centennial Challenges prize program to stimulate innovation in basic and applied research, technology development, and prototype demonstration that have the potential for application to the performance of space and aeronautical activities of NASA; and (2) expenses incurred in the administration of such competitions. Establishes the NASA Innovation Fund Sponsorship Advisory Committee to advise the Administrator of NASA on carrying out the Innovation Fund Sponsorship Program. Permits any person, under the Innovation Fund Sponsorship Program, to develop and implement a promotional program that includes the use of a partnership logo in exchange for a monetary contribution to the Fund from such person. Requires the NASA Administrator to select and adopt the logo to be used in the promotional program of any sponsor, based upon the recommendations of the Advisory Committee. Requires the NASA Administrator to transmit annual reports to Congress on all action taken by NASA under such Program. Requires the Advisory Committee to annually consult with the directors of specified NASA Centers to solicit ideas for the improvement of such Program.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2007
School Choice for Foster Kids Act - Amends part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV of the Social Security Act to authorize states to use funds provided under the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence program to provide vouchers to foster children of all ages to cover their elementary and secondary private school tuition and public school transportation costs.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2007
Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate to arrange for the presentation of a congressional gold medal to to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in recognition of her courageous and unwavering commitment to peace, nonviolence, human rights, and democracy in Burma.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2007
Designates the outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Ponce, Puerto Rico, as the "Euripides Rubio Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic."
United States · United States Congress · 4 December 2007
Declares that the House of Representatives: (1) expresses its appreciation for the profound dedication and public service of former Congressman Henry J. Hyde of Illinois; (2) notes that he was preceded in death by his former wife Jeanne Simpson and his son, Henry "Hank" Hyde; and (3) tenders its deep sympathy to his wife, Judy Wolverton, to his children, Robert, Laura, and Anthony, and to his entire family and former congressional staff.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2007
Justice for the Newark College Students Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to require: (1) the Secretary of Homeland Security (current law refers to the Attorney General) to make investigative resources available to state and local law enforcement agencies to determine whether an individual arrested for a felony or an aggravated felony (current law refers to only an aggravated felony) is unlawfully in the United States; (2) state and local agencies to use such information to determine whether an arrested individual is unlawfully in the United States and to provide the appropriate court with such information; (3) the court to report such case's disposition to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS); and (4) mandatory federal detention of such individuals pending removal, and release only in furtherance of the felony case for which the arrest was made.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2007
Establishes a Joint Select Committee on Earmark Reform to study and report to the House and the Senate on the practices of the legislative and executive branch regarding earmarks in authorizing, appropriation, tax, and tariff measures. Makes it out of order to consider a bill, joint resolution, or conference report containing a congressional earmark, limited tax benefit, or limited tariff benefit until the filing of such report.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2007
Condemns: (1) the kidnappings of Keith Stansell, Thomas Howes, and Marc Gonsalves by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and calls for their immediate release; (2) FARC for the murder of Tom Janis and for its use of kidnapping for ransom, extortion, and drug trafficking, and for supporting and spreading terror within Colombia. Expresses sympathy to the hostages' relatives. Reiterates that the U.S. government supports efforts to secure the hostages' safe return to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2007
Securing Medicare and Retirement for Tomorrow Act of 2007, or SMART Act of 2007 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new part B (Personal Social Security Savings Program) under which each employer shall establish and maintain for each participating employee a personal Social Security account under a Social Security payroll deduction plan. Provides for the participation by self-employed individuals and the investment of personal Social Security account funds in one qualified Social Security mutual fund designated by the participating individual. Establishes the Personal Accounts Management and Review Board, and requires it to establish a program for designating qualified Social Security mutual funds. Provides for election of SSA title II part A (Insurance Benefits) in lieu of part B benefits at retirement. Establishes in the Treasury the Social Security Escrow Fund and provides for investment of its holdings. Amends SSA title XVIII (Medicare) with respect to personal Social Security accounts. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a tax on the failure of Medicare retirees to obtain qualified health insurance coverage. Provides for a reduction in rate of the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) tax on employers if the Fund is ever projected to have excess funds during the ensuing calendar year, and will have no need to borrow funds for the next 10 calendar years. Prohibits collection of the FICA tax with respect to individuals who have attained retirement age. Excludes from an individual's gross income any distributions from a personal Social Security account or any amount received under a qualified Social Security annuity. Provides for budget reform transfers from the general fund of the Treasury to the Social Security Escrow Fund of any tax revenues in excess of specified target revenue amounts (if any) for the fiscal year. Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to provide for dedication of Social Security surpluses to reduction in the public debt.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2007
Sanctity of Human Life Act - Declares that: (1) the right to life guaranteed by the Constitution is vested in each human and is the person's paramount and most fundamental right; (2) each human life begins with fertilization, cloning, or its functional equivalent, at which time every human has all legal and constitutional attributes and privileges of personhood; and (3) Congress, each state, the District of Columbia, and all U.S. territories have the authority to protect all human lives.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2007
Condemns Communist China's discrimination, harassment, imprisonment, torture, and execution of its prisoners of conscience. Calls upon Communist China to release its prisoners of conscience. Urges the Administration to raise the issue of Communist China's prisoners of conscience in high-level diplomatic meetings with Communist Chinese officials.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2007
Expresses strong support for the work of the United States Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad and for the European countries that continue to work to preserve sacred historical sites. Expresses strong sentiments to the government of Lithuania that the people of the United States believe the Jewish cemetery located in the Snipiskes area of Vilnius, Lithuania, must not be further desecrated. Declares that if the Government of Lithuania fails to immediately stop construction and protect the cemetery it will jeopardize its important relationship with the United States and its standing in the international community.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2007
Expresses strong concern over Russia's continued arms sales to Iran and Syria. Urges the President to implement sanctions against Russian entities engaged in arms sales to Iran or Syria. Urges the government of Russia to play a constructive role in establishing peace in the Middle East.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2007
Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit the Secretary of Health and Human Service from providing any federal family planning assistance to an entity unless the entity certifies that, during the period of such assistance, the entity will not perform, and will not provide any funds to any other entity that performs, an abortion. Excludes an abortion where: (1) the pregnancy is the result of an act of rape or an act of incest against a minor; or (2) a physician certifies that the woman suffered from a physical disorder, injury, or illness that would place the woman in danger of death unless an abortion is performed, including a condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy. Excludes hospitals from such requirement so long as the hospital does not provide funds to any non-hospital entity that performs an abortion. Requires the Secretary to annually provide Congress: (1) information on grantees who performed abortions under the exceptions; and (2) a list of entities to which grant funds are made available.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2007
Hispanic American Heroes Resolution - Recognizes Hispanic Americans who have served and continue to serve as members of the U.S. Armed Forces for their courage on the battlefield, as well as their determination, discipline, selfless service, and patriotism.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 2007
Make It Count Act - Changes from March 31st to December 15th of each year the date by which the Secretary of the Treasury must submit to the President and Congress an audited financial statement covering all accounts and associated activities of the executive branch.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 2007
Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 - Appropriates funds for FY2008 for the Department of Defense (DOD) for: (1) military construction for the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, and Air Force (military departments), DOD, the Army and Air National Guard, and the Army, Navy, and Air Force reserves; (2) the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Security Investment Program; (3) family housing construction and related operation and maintenance for the military departments and DOD; (4) the Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund; (5) DOD chemical demilitarization construction; and (6) the Department of Defense Base Closure Accounts of 1990 and 2005. Appropriates funds for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for: (1) the Veterans Benefits Administration; (2) readjustment benefits; (3) veterans insurance and indemnities; (4) the Veterans Housing Benefit Program Fund; (5) the Vocational Rehabilitation Loans Program; (6) the Native American Veteran Housing Loan Program; (7) guaranteed transitional housing loans for homeless veterans; (8) the Veterans Health Administration; (9) the National Cemetery Administration; (10) the Office of Inspector General; (11) construction for major and minor projects; and (12) grants for the construction of extended care facilities and veterans cemeteries. Appropriates funds for: (1) the American Battle Monuments Commission; (2) the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims; (3) cemeterial expenses, Army; and (4) the Armed Forces Retirement Home. Specifies restrictions and authorities regarding the use of funds appropriated in this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 2007
Medicare Recovery Audit Contractor Program Moratorium Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to effect a one-year moratorium on the Medicare recovery audit contractor program, under which the Secretary contracts with recovery audit contractors to identify underpayments and overpayments, and recoup overpayments, with respect to all services for which payment is made under part A or B of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act. Requires: (1) the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to evaluate the program for Congress; and (2) the Comptroller General to report to Congress on the use of recovery audit contractors in the Medicare Integrity program.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 2007
Amends Rule XXI (Restrictions on Certain Bills) of the Rules of the House of Representatives to make it out of order to consider any bill, joint resolution, or conference report, containing appropriations within the jurisdiction of the Subcommittee on Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies of the Committee on Appropriations if such measure also contains appropriations within the jurisdiction of any other subcommittee of that Committee. (Thus requires that general appropriations for military construction and veterans' affairs be considered as stand-alone measures.) Exempts from such requirement any measure making supplemental appropriations or continuing appropriations for up to 60 days.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 2007
Declares that Congress should not impose any new performance fee, tax, royalty, or other charge relating to the public performance of sound recordings on a local radio station for broadcasting sound recordings over-the-air, or on any business for such public performance of sound recordings.
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 2007
California Wildfire Tax Relief Act of 2007 - Provides special tax treatment for taxpayers in areas affected by the California wildfires of October 2007 relating to: (1) nonrecognition of gain from the involuntary conversion of property; (2) limitations on charitable contributions for relief efforts; (3) the exclusion from gross income for discharges of indebtedness; (4) mortgage revenue bonds; (5) limitations on personal casualty losses; (6) additional tax exemptions for providing housing for displaced individuals; (7) earned income calculations; (8) dependency status for purposes of tax exemptions or the child tax credit; (9) premature withdrawals from retirement plans; (10) income averaging; (11) recontributions to tax-deferred home purchase plans; and (12) loans from tax-qualified employer plans.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 2007
Truth in Accounting Act of 2007 - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to include in the audited financial statement of executive branch accounts of the previous year a calculation of the net present value of the overall fiscal exposures of the U.S. government. Requires such financial statement to include a program-by-program calculation of: (1) the generational imbalance; (2) the fiscal imbalance; and (3) the total amount of the fiscal imbalance plus the public debt. Instructs the President, in preparing the federal budget, to take this financial statement into consideration, including the effect of the overall budget upon: (1) the generational imbalance calculation and the fiscal imbalance calculation; and (2) the net present value of the overall fiscal exposures of the federal government. Directs the Secretary to testify each year before Congress on the financial statement for the preceding fiscal year. Directs the Comptroller General to: (1) assess the financial condition of the U.S. government in an annual report to Congress; and (2) testify before Congress on that condition, upon request.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 2007
Commends the 3rd Battalion, 29th Infantry of the Alaska Army National Guard upon its completion of deployment and service to the Commonwealth of Alaska and the citizens of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 2007
Affordable Footwear Act of 2007 - Expresses the sense of Congress that the elimination of duty on certain imported footwear would provide significant benefit to U.S. consumers, particularly lower-income families. Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to provide for the duty-free treatment of certain footwear (including children's shoes) made of rubber or plastics that are imported into the United States. Amends the Caribbean Basic Economic Recovery Act to provide footwear imported directly from Haiti into the United States with the same preferential treatment that is provided to certain imported footwear under the Dominican Republic-Central American-United States Free Trade Agreement.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 2007
Recognizes Turkey as one of the most important strategic partners of the United States. Commends the government and people of Turkey for strengthening its democracy and becoming a source of stability in its region. Expresses appreciation for Turkey's efforts in the global war on terrorism. Congratulates the government and people of Turkey as they celebrate Republic Day.
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 2007
Loyalty to Our Legacy Act of 2007 - Requires the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) to ensure that the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and the national motto "In God We Trust" are each displayed prominently in the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC) on a permanent basis. Prohibits the AOC, in preparing and producing any exhibit or other material relating to the CVC, from removing or refusing to include any language, symbol, writing, document, or record on the grounds that they include a religious reference or Judeo-Christian content.
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 2007
William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2007 - Amends the the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 to direct the Secretary of State (Secretary) to establish within the Department of State an Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking. (Current law authorizes such Office's establishment.) Directs the President to: (1) carry out programs to prevent and deter trafficking in persons; and (2) implement an anti-trafficking program monitoring system. Authorizes the President to establish the Presidential Award for Extraordinary Efforts to Combat Trafficking in Persons. Sets forth consular officer responsibilities respecting anti-trafficking and related information to be given at nonimmigrant alien visa interviews. Sets forth protections for: (1) aliens who may be trafficking victims or who may testify against traffickers (including parole entry for certain family members); and (2) work-based nonimmigrants or alien workers recruited abroad. Sets forth provisions respecting: (1) assistance for trafficking victims, including child victims and U.S. citizens; (2) penalties for trafficking, unlawful compelled service, sex tourism, and aliens in prostitution. Directs: (1) the Attorney General to establish within the Office of the Deputy Attorney General a Coordinator to Combat Human Trafficking; and (2) the Secretary of Labor to establish within the Department of Labor a Coordinator to Combat Human Trafficking. Directs the Secretary to develop: (1) policies and procedures to ensure that unaccompanied alien children in the United States are safely repatriated to their country of nationality or of last habitual residence; and (2) a safe repatriation pilot program for alien children. States, with specified exceptions, that the care and custody of unaccompanied alien children in the United States shall be the responsibility of the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Sets forth related provisions and authorizations of appropriations. Child Soldier Prevention Act of 2007 - Prohibits, with a national interest waiver, funds for specified military and related areas from being made available to the government of a country identified by the Department of State as having governmental armed forces or government supported armed groups that recruit or use child soldiers. Authorizes the President to reinstate assistance upon certifying to Congress that a government is implementing: (1) compliance measures; and (2) mechanisms to prohibit future use of child soldiers. Authorizes the President to provide assistance to a country for international military education and training otherwise prohibited under this Act upon certifying to Congress that such assistance is for implementation of measures to demobilize child soldiers and for programs to support professionalization of the military. Requires a report on child soldiers in Burma.
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 2007
Condemns the activities of the Waft (or Islamic Trust) at the site of the Temple Mount and deplores the destruction of artifacts vitally important to Jewish, Christian, and Muslim faiths.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 2007
Shortens the length of the obligated period of active duty service required of certain members of the Armed Forces to receive certain veterans' education benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 2007
Makes it out of order in the House of Representatives or the Senate to consider any measure making supplemental appropriations for two or more unrelated emergencies. Prohibits any provisions containing spending that is not designated as emergency spending from being reported in a measure making supplemental appropriations. Makes it out of order in the House or the Senate to consider: (1) the conference report on a measure making supplemental appropriations if such measure contains such spending; or (2) any bill, joint resolution, or conference report if the accompanying report or joint statement of managers does not comply with this Act. Requires the Committee on Appropriations or any other House or Senate committee that reports any bill or joint resolution that provides budget authority for any emergency, the accompanying report, or the joint explanatory statement accompanying the conference report on the measure to: (1) identify all provisions that provide budget authority and the resulting outlays for such emergency; (2) state the reasons why such budget authority meets the definition of an emergency; and (3) justify why such funding is in a supplemental appropriation and not the regular appropriation for the next fiscal year. Prohibits a provision containing an earmark from being reported in a measure making supplemental appropriations. Makes it out of order in the House or the Senate to consider the conference report on any measure making supplemental appropriations containing earmarks.
![Official portrait of Rescom. Fortuno, Luis G. [R-PR-At Large]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/f000452_200.jpg)