United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1977
Amends Senate rule XIX to prohibit Senators from speaking on the floor from a prepared text. Prohibits the insertion of prepared remarks in the Congressional Record to be shown as delivered by the Senator on the floor. Prohibits the use, in the Senate chambers, of legislative assistants or other persons on the staff for advice, information, or other assistance in the performance of the Senator's duties.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1976
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Secretary of State of the United States shall not make any commitments involving actions by the U.S. or obligation of funds from the U.S. Treasury in connection with a solution of problems of African nations without first obtaining approval from Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1976
Grants eligibility for retired pay to members of the armed forces reserves who performed active duty after August 13, 1961, and before May 31, 1963, or after August 4, 1964, and before March 28, 1973, or who performed at least 20 years of service after August 15, 1945. (Amends 10 U.S.C. 1331(c), 1332(b), 1333)
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 1976
Government Economy and Spending Reform Act - Title I: Authorizations of New Budget Authority - Terminates all budget authority for Federal programs on specified dates according to the functional or subfunctional category of each program as set forth in the fiscal year 1977 budget. Requires the Comptroller General to report to Congress by April 1, 1977, on specified programs with respect to the laws under which such program is carried on, the amount of new budget authority received by such program during the four fiscal years ending before April 1, 1977, and to identify programs for which no outlays have been made during the last two fiscal years ending before April 1, 1977. Prohibits providing new budget authority after the applicable review date set forth in this Act unless the provision of such budget authority is specifically authorized by law or the standing rules of either House of Congress. Title II: Zero-Base Program Review - Sets forth a timetable for Congressional zero-base review of new budget authority. Defines "zero-base review" as an evaluation of a given program to determine the merits of its continuation at a level less than, equal to, or more than its existing level. Requires each congressional committee conducting a zero-based program review to adopt tentative and final review plans, receive reports from the Comptroller General and Federal agencies on the program being reviewed, and report to their respective House the results of such zero-base review of the program. Sets forth minimum objectives of inquiry for such reviews. Requires that any committee reporting pursuant to this Act recommend the extent to which any program reviewed should be continued or eliminated. Title III: Continuing Review - Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 to require, whenever the Comptroller General issues a report which discloses any substantial deficiency in the achievement of the objectives of any Federal program, the agency conducting such program to report to specified congressional committees 60 days after such report and every six months thereafter to deliniate the actions taken with respect to such deficiency. Requires that such agency continue to issue such reports until such time as the Comptroller General determines that no purpose is served by their submission. Amends the Budget and Accounting Act, 1921, to require the inclusion in the Budget of a statement of the specific objectives of each Government program, and a comparison, in each subsequent Budget, of the achievement of such objectives for the last completed fiscal year with the planned objectives of such year. Title IV: Citizens Bicentennial Commission on the Organization and Operation of Government - Establishes the Citizens' Bicentennial Commission on the Organization and Operation of Government, an independent agency of 18 members to study Federal agencies. Directs the Commission to make recommendations to the President and Congress for the restructuring of such agencies to improve their efficiency. Requires the Commission to submit its final report by September 30, 1979, and terminate it 90 days thereafter. Authorizes to be appropriated without fiscal year limitation $12,000,000 to carry out the provisions of this title. Title V: Miscellaneous - Requires the Director of Management and Budget to study the feasibility of zero-base budgeting for Federal agencies. Requires the Director of the Congressional Budget Office to study the feasibility of personnel ceilings on employees of the United States and their relationships to alternative methods of carrying out the activities of such employees. Requires that such reports be submitted to Congress. Requires Federal agency heads to report requests for new budget authority to Congress. Requires specified committees to study the effectiveness of the zero-base review procedures required by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1976
Expresses the Senate's gratitude to Mike Mansfield of Montana for his participation in the Government and his service on behalf of the Nation's people.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 1976
Waives application of the Congressional Budget Act requirement that new budget authorizations be reported to Congress before May 15th in order to permit Senate consideration of H.R. 10073 (mandatory inspection of slaughtered domesticated rabbits). States such waiver is necessary in order to consider implementation during fiscal year 1977 of a mandatory inspection program to ensure the wholesomeness of rabbit products.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 1976
Amends the program of Child Support and Establishment of Paternity of Title IV of the Social Security Act to limit the portion of an individual's wages from Federal employment which is subject to garnishment for the enforcement of child support and alimony obligations to 50 percent of such wages.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1976
Medicare-Medicaid Anti-Fraud Act - Establishes within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, an Office of Central Fraud and Abuse Control. Provides that such Office shall have the overall responsibility for directing and establishing policies with respect to the undertaking of activities which are designed to deal with fraud and abuse in the Maternal and Child Health and Crippled Children's Services, Medicare and Medicaid. Specifies that the Office shall also have responsibility for investigating alleged fraud or abuse in any such program, and assisting State agencies, at their request, in the establishment and operation of State antifraud and abuse activities. Directs that no payment for Medicare service may be made to a person claiming such payment under an assignment, including a power of attorney, but may be made to an agent of the person furnishing such service. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare or the Comptroller General to require providers or suppliers of items or services, with respect to which payment is claimed under one of the programs within the jurisdiction of the Office, to furnish specified information including the following: (1) the identity of persons having ownership interest in such entity; and (2) a consolidated certified costs report with respect to its costs and charges, including costs and charges of related organizations. Specifies sanctions which shall be imposed upon entities which fail to comply with requests for information. Increases the penalties for defrauding the Medicare or Medicaid programs. Provides that it shall be a felony (presently misdemeanor) punishable by imprisonment of up to five years for such an offense. States that where a Professional Standards Review Organization is found competent by the Secretary to assume review responsibility with respect to specified types of health care services or specified providers or practitioners of such services and is performing such reviews, such reviews shall constitute the conclusive determination on those issues for purposes of payment under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 1976
Declares that Members, officers and employees of the Senate shall not hire, fail to hire, discharge or otherwise discriminate against an individual with respect to promotion, compensation, or terms, conditions or privileges of employment on the basis such individual's race, color, religion, sex, national origin or state of handicap. Declares that Members, officers, and employees shall encourage the hiring of women and minorities at all levels of employment of Senate staffs.
United States · United States Congress · 27 August 1976
Designates the extension of the Senate Office Building presently under construction pursuant to the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1973, as the "Philip A. Hart Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 24 August 1976
National Aquaculture Organic Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish a National Development Plan. States that such plan shall: (1) identify each aquatic species which can be cultured on a commercial basis (priority aquatic species); and (2) contain a program of aquaculture development for such priority aquatic species. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to review annually each aquatic species not identified as a priority species and the program established for each priority species. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish and maintain an aquaculture information center; (2) maintain an inventory of public and private aquaculture being carried out in the United States; (3) arrange for the mutual exchange of information relating to aquaculture with foreign nations; (4) provide advisory, educational, marketing, and technical services with respect to aquaculture to interested public and private organizations and individuals; and (5) coordinate with the Environmental Protection Agency to investigate the utilization of aquacultural and other forms of waste water in carrying out the purposes of this Act. Establishes the Interagency Committee on Aquaculture comprised of the heads of various Federal agencies to insure that there is a continuing exchange of information relating to the aquacultural programs and projects of the various agencies and to review on a continuing basis the relevant programs and projects of all Federal agencies. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the Secretary of the Interior to make grants or enter into contracts to carry out the purposes of this Act. Limits the amount of any grant made available under this Act to one-half of the estimated cost of the project for which the grant was made. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to guarantee obligations issued for the financing of any aquaculture facility within the United States. Stipulates that the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all such guaranteed obligations shall not exceed $100,000,000. Authorizes the Secretary to collect a fee for guaranteed obligations not to exceed one-half of one percent per annum of the outstanding principal balance of the obligation. Sets forth the allowable interest rate, maturity date, and default procedures relating to such loans. Authorizes the Secretary to issue notes or obligations to the Secretary of the Treasury if the monies in the loan fund are insufficient to pay such a loan in the event of default. Establishes within the Treasury a Federal Aquaculture Assistance Fund for the purpose of guaranteeing loans under this act. Requires the Secretary, in cooperation with the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture, to submit an annual report to Congress which shall document and evaluate the success or failure of the facilities for which loan guarantees were made under this Act. Authorizes appropriations in specified amounts to each of the Secretaries of Commerce, Agriculture and the Interior through fiscal year 1980 to carry out the provisions of this Act except for the purpose of guaranteeing loans. Authorizes appropriations of a maximum of $100,000,000 without fiscal year limitation, to the Federal Aquaculture Assistance Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1976
Shrimp Import Act - Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to impose a duty on the importation of shrimp. Restricts the importation of shrimp to the amount imported during a specified base period, to be determined by the Secretary of Commerce. Imposes restrictions upon importation of headless shrimp and upon the quantity per month. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to increase or decrease such restrictions in response to consumer demand and the domestic shrimp industry. Establishes and authorizes appropriations for a shrimp marketing research, and food assistance fund. Establishes the Shrimp Food Assistance Account, under the Secretary of Agriculture, to purchase surplus domestic shrimp.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 1976
Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to require the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration to furnish to qualified non-Federal law enforcement officers retirement benefits equal to 25 percent of their State and local retirement benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1976
Commercial Fisheries Improvement Fund Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to make long-term, low interest, incentive loans for investment in fisheries shoreside facilities for underutilized fisheries and fishing vessels for underutilized fisheries. Sets forth the terms for such loans. Requires the Secretary, before approving a loan for the purchase of a new or used vessel, to determine that the applicant's comtemplated operation of such vessel in a fishery will not cause economic hardship or injury to efficient vessels already operating in that fishery. Directs that loans pursuant to this Act shall be made only to citizens or nationals of the United States. Provides that no corporation, partnership, or association organized under the laws of American Samoa shall be deemed a national of the United States unless 75 percent of the interest therein is owned by nationals or citizens of the United States. Establishes in the U.S. Treasury a Commercial Fisheries Improvement Fund which shall be used by the Secretary as a fund from which to make loans under this Act. Authorizes the appropriation of $250,000,000 to provide initial capital for all loans under this Act. Repeals provisions of the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 which provide loans for financing or refinancing of the cost of purchasing, constructing, equipping, maintaining, repairing, or operating commercial fishing vessels or gear. Directs that any outstanding loans made under such provisions shall be handled in accordance with this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1976
Federal Officials' Anti-Defamation Act - Stipulates that any person who with actual malice makes any false and defamatory communication concerning a Federal official which results or tends to result in pecuniary or nonpecuniary loss to such individual shall be liable for damages sustained. Charges the plaintiff in such actions with the burden of proof. Entitles the plaintiff to recover punitive damages if the defendant is guilty of gross abuse, outrageous conduct, or oppression resulting in aggravated injury sustained by the plaintiff. Prohibits the use of the defense that the false and defamatory communication in issue was reprinted or in any manner repeated from another source. Grants Federal district courts original jurisdiction over civil actions brought under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1976
Requires the Civil Service Commission to pay retired State and local law enforcement officers and firefighters supplemental retirement benefits equal to 25 percent of their qualifying State and local retirement benefits. (Adds 5 U.S.C. 8361-3)
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1976
States that voluntary departure from the United States in lieu of deportation allowed by the Attorney General under the Immigration and Nationality Act may not be granted to any alien more than once. Prohibits aliens from joining the civil service of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1976
Allows an eligible veteran who is pursuing a program of education at the close of the ten-year delimiting period to continue to receive educational assistance until he completes such program; or until he ceases to pursue such program, whichever first occurs. (Amends 38 U.S.C. 1662(a))
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1976
Provides for the relief of Jeanette Green, as mother of the minor child, Ricky Baker, deceased, and as widow and administratrix of the estate of Enoch Odell Baker, deceased; and for the relief of Mary Jane Baker Nolan, individually, and as widow and administratrix of the estate of John William Baker, deceased.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1976
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that a person engaged in the trade or business of putting sitters in touch with individuals who wish to employ them shall not be treated, for Federal employment tax purposes, as the employer of such sitters (and such sitters shall not be treated as employees of such person) if such person does not pay the salary or wages of the sitters and is compensated by the sitters or the persons who employ them on a fee basis. States that for purposes of this Act the term "sitters" means individuals who furnish personal attendance, companionship, or household care services to children or to individuals who are elderly or disabled.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1976
Authorizes the Architect of the Capitol to perform such work as may be necessary to prevent further deterioration of historically significant sections of the Congressional Cemetery. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study for the purpose of formulating proposals for the renovation and maintenance of such areas by the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1976
Provides, under the Federal Trade Commission Act, that exclusive territorial arrangements in any franchise agreement, or any trademark licensing contract or agreement, for the manufacture, distribution, and sale of a trademarked soft drink product shall not be deemed unlawful, provided: (1) that such product is in substantial and effective competition with products of the same general class distributed or sold by others; (2) the licensee is in substantial and effective competition with vendors of other products of the same general class; and (3) the licensor retains control over the nature and quality of such product in accordance with the provisions of the Trademark Act of 1946.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1976
States that the voluntary departure from the United States in lieu of deportation allowed by the Attorney General under the Immigration and Nationality Act may not be granted to any alien more than once.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1976
Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the definition of the term "personal holding company income" to exclude from the term dividends or rents, and compensation which consists of the use of, or the right to use, tangible or intangible property of a corporation used in the active trade or business of a corporation of which 25 percent or more in value of the outstanding stock of the corporation is owned by an individual or trust entitled to use the tangible or intangible property.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1976
States that the Senate deplores and condemns the conduct of a specified group toward Governor Wallace of Alabama and Senator Henry Jackson of Washington.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1976
Removes the time limits within which educational assistance furnished by the Veterans' Administration must be used. Makes eligible for educational assistance any veteran of World War II, the Korean conflict, the Cold War period, or the Vietnam era who: (1) was entitled to educational assistance under any law administered by the Veterans' Administration as a result of active service during such war, conflict or era; and (2) whose entitlement thereto terminated before the date of the enactment of this Act without the veteran concerned availing himself, or only in part using, any such assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1976
Authorizes the Secretary of Labor, under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, to make visits to the work place of any employer, upon the request of the employer, to consult with and advise the employer concerning the obligations of the employer under such Act. Directs the Secretary to give priority to small business and hazardous workplaces. Stipulates that no consultative visit made under this Act may serve as an inspection or investigation as otherwise provided for by the Occupational Safety and Health Act, except: (1) in the case of an employer who fails to eliminate a danger disclosed during such a visit; or (2) if conditions are found during such a visit which indicate the probability that death or serious harm could result to employees therefrom, the Secretary may notify the employer of such conditions and afford him a reasonable time to eliminate such conditions. Prohibits the transmission of information obtained during a consultative visit to representatives of the Secretary engaged in enforcement. Directs the Secretary to establish education programs to inform employers and employees of the hazards in particular industries. Authorizes the appropriation of funds through fiscal year 1978 for the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1976
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that the Congress shall seek 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. Directs the President to ascertain the total receipts and outlays of the Government during each fiscal year. Provides that if the total receipts are less than the total outlays, the President shall determine the percentage rate of income tax surtax to be imposed to equal the amount by which such total receipts are less than total outlays. Provides that the income tax surtax, which would otherwise be in effect for the year, may be suspended in case of a grave national emergency declared by Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1976
Prohibits the Federal courts from requiring any Federal, State, or local official to classify persons by race, creed, or color for the purpose of assigning pupils to public schools. (Adds 28 U.S.C. 3101)
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1976
Amends the Postal Reorganization Act to direct the United States Postal Service to hold a public hearing prior to deciding whether to close or consolidate any post office. Permits any person served by any post office which the Postal Service has decided to close or consolidate to appeal such decision to any court of appeals of the United States. Empowers a court of appeals to set aside or affirm an appealed determination but prohibits the court from modifying it. Removes the Postmaster General and Deputy Postmaster General from the Board of Governors of the Postal Service. Designates the Postmaster General head of the Postal Service. Requires appointment of the Postmaster General and Deputy Postmaster General by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. Sets the salaries for such officials at specified Executive Schedule pay rates. Specifies the number of Assistant Postmasters General, and sets the salaries for such officials and other officers of the Postal Service. Repeals the authority of the Postal Service Board of Governors to direct and control the expenditures and review the practices and policies of the Postal Service. Delegates to the Postmaster General direct responsibility to transmit the annual report to Congress and the President concerning the operation of the Postal Service.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1976
Makes it unlawful for any individual or entity to solicit or enroll any member of the armed forces in any labor organization, or for any member of the armed forces to join, or encourage other members to join, any labor union. Prescribes a penalty of not more than five years imprisonment for any individual violating this Act, and a fine of not less than $25,000 or more than $50,000 for any labor organization in violation of this Act. (Adds 10 U.S.C. 975)
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1976
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that each judge of the Supreme Court shall hold office for a term of eight years. Directs that each judge of an inferior court established by the Congress shall hold office for a term of six years. Provides that each judge of each United States district court shall be elected by the persons within the judicial district within which such court is situated. Directs the Congress to provide by law a division of all the judgeships to which this article applies so that the terms of office of one-fourth of the judgeships of the Supreme Court, and one-third of the judgeships of inferior courts, shall terminate every second year.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1976
Requires that any officer or employee of any branch of the Federal Government who earns more than $25,000 per year must file annual statements disclosing the source and amount of his or her income and his or her net worth. Requires that such statements must be properly sworn to be correct, notarized, and filed with the Comptroller General.
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 1976
Increases from ten to 15 years the period during which veterans and wives and widows of veterans are eligible for educational assistance. Extends from eight to 15 years the eligibility period for wives and widows to pursue a program of education by correspondence. (Amends 38 U.S.C. 1662, 1712).
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1976
Transfers from Federal to State courts jurisdiction to enter decrees requiring the transportation of students or teachers to carry out a plan of racial desegregation, when such cases arise within a State. Vests appellate jurisdiction of such cases in the Supreme Court of the United States by writ of certiorari from the highest State or territorial court exercising such jurisdiction. Terminates the order of any Federal court requiring the transportation of students and teachers to carry out a plan of racial desegregation. Directs any State court of appellate jurisdiction to assume jurisdiction of such cases upon application of a party.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1976
Recognizes the fiftieth anniversary of the birth of American commercial aviation. Requests that all concerned governmental agencies join in participating in appropriate national and local ceremonies celebrating such anniversary.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1976
Government Economy and Spending Reform Act - Title I: Authorizations of New Budget Authority - Terminates on specified dates budget authority for all Government programs except health care services, general retirement and disability insurance, and Federal employee retirement and disability programs which are funded by trust funds. Declares out of order in either the Senate or the House of Representatives any legislation which authorizes new budget authority not in compliance with this Act. Requires the Committees on Appropriations and the Committees on the Budget of both Houses of Congress to identify each program's functional and subfunctional category (as so characterized in the Budget of the United States, Fiscal Year 1977, transmitted to Congress by the President on January 21, 1976), the committees having legislative jurisdiction over such program, and whether such program operates under permanent authorizations and budget authority. Makes the budget termination provisions of this Act effective on the first day of the Ninety-fifth Congress. Title II: Early Elimination of Inactive and Duplicate Programs - Requires the Comptroller General of the United States to identify for Congress any programs which have duplicate objectives or for which no outlays have been made for the last two fiscal years. Directs the standing committees of both Houses to consider such programs and report recommendations on such programs before March 15, 1978, if possible. Title III: Quadrennial Program Review and Evaluation - Sets forth a timetable for reviewing the budget of a Government program. Requires review by standing committees of the Congress every four years of each program's cost, effectiveness, and the extent to which such program duplicates or is similar to any other program. States that such review shall include a comprehensive evaluation of the merits of such program to determine if it warrants continuation. Requires justification of any recommendation to fund any program which has objectives similar to or the same as another program's objectives. Directs the Comptroller General and the Congressional Budget Office to provide Congress with information and analysis of programs being reviewed under this Act. Requires the President to similarly review the merits of continuing programs contained in annual Budget and to report the finding of such review prior to transmitting the Budget to Congress. Title IV: Continuing Review and Evaluation - Directs the Comptroller General to report to Congress the result of any audit which shows a substantial deficiency in achievement of the objectives of any Government program. Requires subsequent audits, a report of which must be submitted to Congress, to determine if such deficiency has been eliminated. Title V: Miscellaneous - States that those provisions of this Act which direct the operation of either House are enacted as an exercise of the rulemaking power of such House and recognizes the right of either House to change such rules.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1975
Regulatory Limitation Act - Provides that the rules and regulations implementing the public laws of the United States shall not take effect before 60 calendar days of continuous session of Congress after the date on which the rule was published in the Federal Register. Directs that such regulations shall not be implemented if either House of Congress passes a resolution disapproving them.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1975
Establishes the Senate Select Committee on Improper Activities in the Labor or Management Field. Directs the Select Committee to investigate and study the extent, if any, to which illegal or unethical activities are engaged in by any persons in the field of labor-management relations. Empowers the Select Committee with such authority as is necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution. Authorizes the Committee to recommend the enactment of new legislation it considers necessary to safeguard the integrity of labor-management relations. Directs the Committee to make a final report of its findings to the Senate no later than December 31, 1976. Limits the expenses of the Committee to $1,250,000 through December 31, 1976.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1975
States that the Senate commends Secretary of Defense James R. Schlesinger for his excellence in office, his intellectual honesty, personal integrity, courage and independence. Expresses a debt of gratitude to Secretary Schlesinger for his services and particularly for his determination to convey the truth to the American people.
![Official portrait of Sen. Allen, James B. [D-AL]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/a000127_200.jpg)