Rescom. Pierluisi, Pedro R. [D-PR-At Large]

An amendment numbered 15 printed in House Report 112-267 to clarify the application of the Passenger Vessel Services Act to vessels operating in Puerto Rico that are not otherwise qualified to transport passengers for hire and that are more than 100 gross tons. Would allow such vessels to transport passengers between ports in Puerto Rico--a non-contiguous jurisdiction of multiple islands.

United States · United States Congress

Amendment provides U.S. Customs and Border Protection the authority to supplement any funding from the Trust Fund with general appropriations made in the bill in order to avoid any further cuts to CBP operational funds in Puerto Rico.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment numbered 3 printed in House Report 112-46 to ensure that airports in Puerto Rico are apportioned amounts under the Airport Improvement Program (AlP), while also remaining eligible for discretionary grants under the Program.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment numbered 71 printed in House Report 113-170 to enable the Department of Defense to respond to significant public safety hazards and fulfill its environmental restoration responsibilities under CERCLA by removing unexploded ordnance from the Northwest Peninsula of the island of Culebra in Puerto Rico, which is a formerly used defense site where U.S. Navy ship-to-shore bombing and weapons training occurred from 1903 until 1975.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment numbered 14 printed in House Report 112-46 to authorize the Secretary of Transportation to continue the essential air service program in Puerto Rico following the sunset date of October 1, 2013. The bill authorizes continuation for Alaska and Hawaii.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment numbered 16 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit the use of funds to be used to implement, administer, or enforce section 1301(a) of title 31, United States Code (31 U.S.C. 1301(a)), with respect to the use of amounts made available by this Act for "Customs and Border Protection--Salaries and Expenses" for the expenses authorized to be paid in section 9 of the Jones Act (48 U.S.C. 795) and for the collection of duties and taxes authorized to be levied, collected, and paid in Puerto Rico, as authorized in section 4 of the Foraker Act (48 U.S.C. 740), in addition to the more specific amounts available for such purposes in the Puerto Rico Trust Fund pursuant to such provisions of law.

United States · United States Congress

Recognizing and honoring the life of Jose Fernandez.

United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2016

Honors the life and accomplishments of Jose Fernandez, a pitcher for the Miami Marlins who died in a boating accident with two of his friends, Emilio Macias and Eduardo Rivero. Offers condolences to their families and friends.

Immigration Courts Bail Reform Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2016

Immigration Courts Bail Reform Act This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the minimum bond amount needed to release a detained alien. An immigration judge may review an initial custody determination for an adult alien, subject to specified rules, which include the following: the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall, within 72 hours, file the notice to appear or charging document with the appropriate immigration court and serve such notice on the detained alien; except for criminals or suspected terrorists, DHS may continue to detain an alien only if no conditions will reasonably assure the alien's appearance and the safety of any other person and the community; the Department of Justice shall ensure that an alien has the opportunity to promptly appear before an immigration judge for a custody redetermination hearing; except for criminals or suspected terrorists, an immigration judge shall review the custody determination de novo and may continue to detain the alien only if DHS demonstrates that no conditions will reasonably assure the alien's appearance and the community's safety; DHS and an immigration judge shall order an alien's release on personal recognizance or upon an unsecured appearance bond unless such release will not reasonably assure the alien's appearance or the community's safety; if DHS or an immigration judge determines that such release will not reasonably assure the alien's appearance or such safety, DHS or the immigration judge shall order the alien's release under the least restrictive conditions that will assure the alien's appearance and the community's safety; DHS or an immigration judge shall consider the alien's financial ability in determining whether to impose a bond as a condition of release; and DHS or an immigration judge may not impose a financial condition that results in an alien's detention.

Territory Health Insurance Tax Relief Act of 2016

United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2016

Territory Health Insurance Tax Relief Act of 2016 This bill amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to exclude premiums paid by residents of U.S. territories from a health insurer's net premiums when calculating the annual fee on the health insurer, thereby lowering the fee for health insurers that collect such premiums. These premiums are still included in total health premiums when calculating the annual fee on health insurers, thus the total amount collected annually from health insurers is reduced.

Puerto Rico Health Insurance Fairness Act of 2016

United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2016

Puerto Rico Health Insurance Fairness Act of 2016 This bill amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to exempt health insurers in jurisdictions where premium subsidies and cost-sharing reductions are not available from the annual fee on health insurers. Currently, premium subsidies and cost-sharing reductions are not available in U.S. territories. The bill reduces the total amount to be collected annually from health insurers by the amount that would have been collected from those jurisdictions.

Zika Pregnancy and Infant Registry Act of 2016

United States · United States Congress · 13 September 2016

Zika Pregnancy and Infant Registry Act of 2016 This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to establish and maintain a registry of: (1) women who are diagnosed during pregnancy as having been infected with Zika virus, and (2) the children of such women. The registry may include information on symptoms experienced by the women and children, testing of the women and children, and development of the children. Information in the registry may be made available only for research.

Supporting the designation of the week of September 17 through September 24, 2016, as National Estuaries Week.

United States · United States Congress · 6 September 2016

Supports the designation of National Estuaries Week. Acknowledges the importance of estuaries to sustaining employment in the United States and the nation's economic well-being and prosperity. Expresses the intent of the House of Representatives to continue working to understand, protect, and restore U.S. estuaries.

Conserving Our Reefs and Livelihoods Act of 2016

United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2016

Conserving Our Reefs and Livelihoods Act of 2016 This bill amends the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 to expand the coral reef conservation program by awarding remaining program grant funds to appropriate projects, including monitoring and assessment, research, and education necessary to protect and restore coral reefs. The Coral Reef Conservation Fund is renamed the Coral Reef Conservation and Restoration Fund. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) must establish the Center of Excellence in Coral Reef Ecosystem Science Cooperative Institute. Additionally, the bill directs NOAA to submit to Congress a national coral reef action strategy. The U.S. Coral Reef Task Force is authorized to carry out prize competitions that promote coral reef research and conservation. The prize competitions must be designed to help the United States achieve its goal of developing new and effective ways to advance the understanding, monitoring, and sustainability of coral reef ecosystems. The Department of the Interior may provide coral reef conservation and restoration assistance. Interior must obtain approval from the relevant fish and wildlife management agency of a state or territory before restricting fishing access to state or territorial waters within its jurisdiction. The bill directs NOAA to award competitive grants for colleges, universities, and nonprofit research organizations to research lionfish and their impact on the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico ecosystems.

Foundation of the Federal Bar Association Charter Amendments Act of 2016

United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2016

Foundation of the Federal Bar Association Charter Amendments Act of 2016 This bill revises the federal charter for the Foundation of the Federal Bar Association (the corporation) to remove provisions that declare the corporation to be incorporated and domiciled in the District of Columbia. Its principal office may be in any U.S. location. The procedures for membership of the National Council of the Federal Bar Association and the election of the board of directors and officers are to be as provided for in the bylaws instead of under charter requirements. But the bill prohibits the terms of membership, or the requirements for serving as a director or officer, from discriminating on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, or national origin. Prohibitions on the distribution of income or assets to a director, officer, or member shall not prevent: (1) board-approved payments of reasonable compensation or reimbursement for expenses incurred in undertaking the corporation's business; (2) the award of a grant to a Federal Bar Association chapter of an officer, director, or member; or (3) payment of reasonable compensation to the corporation's employees for services undertaken on the corporation's behalf. The prohibition on loans to directors or officers is expanded to include members or employees. The bill removes a provision that makes directors or officers jointly and severally liable to the corporation for assenting to a loan to a director or officer. The corporation may not claim congressional approval or the authority of the federal government for its activities. On dissolution or final liquidation of the corporation, any assets remaining after the discharge of all liabilities shall be distributed as provided by the board of directors in compliance with the charter and bylaws. (Currently, any remaining assets shall be deposited in the Treasury.)

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to make permanent the deduction for income attributable to domestic production activities in Puerto Rico.

United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2016

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the tax deduction for income attributable to domestic production activities in Puerto Rico. (Under current law, the deduction expires on January 1, 2017.)

Honoring in praise and remembrance the extraordinary life, accomplishments, and countless contributions of Mr. Muhammad Ali.

United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2016

Honors the life, accomplishments, and contributions to humanity made by Muhammad Ali.

U.S. Territories Investor Protection Act of 2016

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2016

U.S. Territories Investor Protection Act of 2016 This bill amends the Investment Company Act of 1940 to repeal the exemption from its coverage of investment companies created under the laws of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, or any other U.S. possession.

Air Traffic Controller Hiring Improvement Act of 2016

United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2016

Air Traffic Controller Hiring Improvement Act of 2016 This bill directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), in appointing air traffic controllers, to give preferential consideration to qualified individuals maintaining 52 consecutive weeks of experience involving the active separation of air traffic after receipt of an air traffic certification or facility rating within 5 years of application while serving at an FAA air traffic control facility, a civilian or military air traffic control facility of the Department of Defense, or a tower operating under contract with the FAA. The FAA shall consider additional applicants by referring an approximately equal number of employees for appointment among two applicant pools. The number referred from each group shall not differ by more than 10%. Pool one shall consist of applicants who: have successfully completed air traffic controller training and graduated from an institution participating in the Collegiate Training Initiative program and have received an appropriate recommendation or endorsement from such institution, are eligible for a veterans recruitment appointment and provide a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty within 120 days of the announcement closing, are veterans eligible for veterans' benefits who maintain aviation experience obtained in the course of the individual's military experience, or are preference eligible veterans. Pool two shall consist of applicants who apply under a vacancy announcement recruiting from all U.S. citizens. The FAA: (1) may not use a biographical assessment when hiring, (2) must provide an individual who applied in response to a specified 2014 vacancy announcement and was disqualified as the result of a biographical assessment an opportunity to reapply under the revised hiring practices, and (3) must waive any maximum age limit for such reapplying applicants who met such requirement when they applied under such announcement. Otherwise, the maximum age limit for an original appointment as an air traffic controller under this bill shall be 35 years of age. The FAA shall consider directly notifying secondary schools and institutes of higher learning of a vacancy announcement for pool one applicants.

Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2016 to respond to Zika virus.

United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2016

This bill provides FY2016 emergency supplemental appropriations to the Departments of State and Health and Human Services (HHS) to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the Zika virus and other infectious diseases. The bill specifies permissible uses for the funds and designates the funds as an emergency requirement, which exempts the funds from discretionary spending limits. The bill provides appropriations to HHS for: the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, and the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund. The bill amends the Public Health Service Act to permit Project BioShield to be used to support the advanced development and procurement of medical countermeasures to diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or treat harm from any infectious disease that may pose a threat to the public health. (Under current law, Project BioShield supports only countermeasures against specific chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear terrorist threats.) The bill temporarily increases from 55% to 65% the Medicaid Federal Medical Assistance Percentage in the territories (Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands). The bill provides appropriations to the Department of State for: the Administration of Foreign Affairs, the U.S. Agency for International Development, Bilateral Economic Assistance, International Security Assistance, and Multilateral Assistance. Unobligated balances of specified funds provided for the Ebola virus may be used to respond to the Zika virus and other infectious diseases.

Recognizing March 31 as "César Chávez Day" in honor of the accomplishments and legacy of César Estrada Chávez.

United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2016

Recognizes Cesar Chavez Day to honor the accomplishments and example of Cesar Estrada Chavez. Pledges to promote his legacy and encourages the people of the United States to remember his rallying cry, "Si, se puede!" ("Si, se puede!" is Spanish for "Yes, we can!")

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Senate should fulfill its constitutional obligation to provide full and fair consideration of the President's nominee for Associate Justice of the Supreme Court.

United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2016

Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Senate should: (1) fulfill its constitutional obligation by observing regular order and holding hearings to consider the President's nomination of Judge Garland to fill the vacant seat on the Supreme Court; and (2) after giving its full and fair consideration, vote on such nomination.

Fair Day in Court for Kids Act of 2016

United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2016

Fair Day in Court for Kids Act of 2016 This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) authorize the Department of Justice (DOJ) to appoint or provide counsel at government expense to aliens in removal proceedings. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall provide an alien in removal proceedings with all relevant documents in its possession, unless the alien has knowingly waived the right to such documents. In the absence of a waiver a removal proceeding may not proceed until the alien has received, and had time to review, the documents. DOJ may appoint or provide counsel to aliens in any INA proceeding. DHS shall ensure that aliens have access to counsel inside all immigration detention and border facilities. DOJ shall appoint counsel, at government expense if necessary, for an unaccompanied alien child or a particularly vulnerable individual. If DOJ has consolidated any such alien's case with that of any other alien, and that other alien does not have counsel, then the appointed counsel shall be appointed to represent the other alien as well. DHS shall: (1) facilitate access to counsel for all aliens detained in facilities under the supervision of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP); and (2) establish procedures to ensure that legal orientation programs are available for all detained aliens, including aliens held in CBP facilities. DOJ shall develop and administer a two-year pilot program at not fewer than two immigration courts to grant access to legal information to non-detained aliens with pending asylum claims. DHS shall establish a pilot program to increase the court appearance rates of unaccompanied alien children and particularly vulnerable individuals by contracting with nongovernmental, community-based organizations to provide such aliens with case management services. The pilot program shall not be used to monitor individuals designated as unaccompanied alien children under the Homeland Security Act. If DOJ fails to appoint counsel for an unaccompanied alien child or vulnerable person: (1) no limitation pertaining to the filing of any motion to reopen the removal proceeding shall apply, and (2) the filing of such a motion shall stay the removal of the alien.

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 February 2016

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue not more than 50,000 $5 coins, 400,000 $1 coins, and 750,000 half-dollar coins in recognition and celebration of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The coins shall be in the shape of a dome, and the design on the common reverse of the coins shall depict a basketball. Treasury shall hold a competition to determine the design of the common obverse of the coins, which shall be emblematic of the game of basketball. The bill requires all sales of such coins to include specified surcharges, which shall be paid by Treasury to the Hall to fund an endowment for its operations.

Authorizing the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for a ceremony to present the Congressional Gold Medal collectively to the 65th Infantry Regiment, known as the "Borinqueneers".

United States · United States Congress · 9 February 2016

Authorizes Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center to be used on April 13, 2016, for a ceremony to present the Congressional Gold Medal to the 65th Infantry Regiment (Borinqueneers) in recognition of its pioneering military service, devotion to duty, and many acts of valor in the face of adversity.