The world's political record
Person
![Official portrait of Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b001261_200.jpg)
United States · Official source
2,811 records where Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 2009
Modernize Our Bookkeeping In the Law for Employee's Cell Phone Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to remove certain limitations on the tax deduction for employee use of cellular telephones.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 2009
Amends the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act to revise the process for exercising the authority of the Secretary of the Treasury to make purchases of troubled assets in excess of the $350 billion previously obligated. Changes the Joint Resolution of Disapproval, regarding the exercise of such authority, to a Joint Resolution of Approval. Prohibits the Secretary from exercising authority to make such purchases unless a joint resolution approving the plan is enacted into law within 15 calendar days after Congress receives a report of the Secretary's plan to exercise the authority.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 2009
Broadcaster Freedom Act of 2009 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), notwithstanding any other provision of any Act, from having the authority to require broadcasters to present opposing viewpoints on controversial issues of public importance, commonly referred to as the Fairness Doctrine.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 2009
Social Security Totalization Agreement Reform Act of 2009 or STAR Act - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to provide that any agreement to establish a totalization arrangement which is entered into with another country shall enter into force with respect to the United States if (and only if): (1) the President, at least 90 calendar days before the date on which he enters into the agreement, notifies each House of Congress of his intention to enter into it, and promply thereafter publishes notice of such intention in the Federal Register; (2) he transmits the text of such agreement to each House of the Congress; and (3) a joint resolution regarding such agreement has passed both Houses of Congress and been enacted into federal law. Sets forth procedures for the consideration of such a joint resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 2009
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable Claiborne de Borda Pell, a former member of the U.S. Senate. Declares that when the Senate recesses on January 6, 2009, it stand in recess as a further mark of respect to the memory of Senator Pell.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2008
Amends the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act to revise the process for exercising the authority of the Secretary of the Treasury to make purchases of troubled assets in any amount in excess of the $350 billion previously obligated. Changes the Joint Resolution of Disapproval, regarding the exercise of such authority, to a Joint Resolution of Approval. Prohibits the Secretary, that is, from exercising any authority to make any such purchases unless within 15 calendar days after Congress receives a report of the Secretary's plan to exercise the authority, a joint resolution approving the plan is enacted into law.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 2008
Amends the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act to revise the limitation on the Secretary of the Treasury's authority to purchase troubled assets through the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP). Changes the Joint Resolution of Disapproval, regarding authority to purchase troubled assets, to a Joint Resolution of Approval. Prohibits the Secretary, that is, from exercising any authority to make any such purchases with regard to any TARP amount authorized, and unobligated as of November 14, 2008, unless within 15 calendar days after Congress receives a report of the Secretary's plan to exercise such authority, a joint resolution approving the plan is enacted into law.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2008
Supports the goals and ideals of "Lights On Afterschool!," a national celebration of after-school programs.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 2008
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish within the Department of the Interior the Minerals Management Service (MMS), to be headed by a Director appointed by the President, by and with the consent of the Senate. (The MMS currently exists, but its Director is appointed by the Secretary.) Requires the Director to ensure that the MMS implements comprehensive financial audits of royalty payments and adjustments. Requires the Director to issue requirements that: (1) MMS employees conducting audits and compliance reviews meet specified auditor qualifications; and (2) MMS-conducted audits reflect the latest revision of the Government Auditing Standards published by the Government Accountability Office. Directs the Inspector General of the Department to audit and report annually to certain congressional committees on MMS activities, including leasing and royalty activities. Requires the Secretary to certify to Congress that all Inspector General recommendations as a result of specified investigations of the royalty-in-kind program have been implemented. Directs the Secretary to certify annually to Congress that the royalty-in-kind program is in full compliance with federal law governing procurement and ethics. Suspends, for a specified period, the authority of the Secretary to implement each royalty-in-kind program if the Secretary fails to meet the annual certification deadline.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 2008
Girl Scouts USA Centennial Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue up to 350,000 $1 coins in commemoration of the centennial of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America. Requires the coin design to be emblematic of such centennial. Requires such coins to be issued in uncirculated and proof qualities, from only one U.S. Mint facility. Declares the sense of Congress that such facility should be the U.S. Mint at West Point, New York, to the greatest extent possible. Authorizes the Secretary to issue such coins only during calendar 2011. Applies a $10 per coin surcharge to all coin sales. Requires all surcharges received to be paid to the Girl Scouts of the United States of America for efforts involved in marking it centennial, which may include efforts to preserve the birthplace of founder Juliette Gordon Low.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 2008
Designates September 25, 2008, as National First Responder Appreciation Day.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2008
Designates September 2008 as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Declares that the federal government has a responsibility to: (1) raise awareness about prostate cancer screening and treatment; (2) increase funding for prostate cancer research; and (3) improve access to, and the quality of, health care services for detecting and treating prostate cancer.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 2008
Recognizes September 11, 2008, as a day of solemn commemoration of the events of September 11, 2001. Offers condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of the innocent victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Honors the heroic service, actions, and sacrifices of first responders, law enforcement personnel, state and local officials, volunteers, and others who aided the victims and, in doing so, risked and often gave their own lives. Recognizes the service, actions, and sacrifices of U.S. personnel who have given so much to support our freedom and defend our security. Reaffirms that the people of the United States will never forget the challenges our country endured on and since September 11, 2001, and will work to defeat those who attacked us.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2008
ADA Amendments Act of 2008 - Amends the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) to redefine the term "disability," including by defining "major life activities" and "being regarded as having such an impairment." Sets forth rules of construction regarding the definition of "disability," including that: (1) such term shall be construed in favor of broad coverage of individuals under the Act; (2) an impairment that substantially limits one major life activity need not limit other major life activities in order to be a disability; (3) an impairment that is episodic or in remission is a disability if it would substantially limit a major life activity when active; and (4) the determination of whether an impairment substantially limits a major life activity shall be made without regard to the ameliorative effects of specified mitigating measures. Prohibits employment discrimination against a qualified individual on the basis of disability. (Current law prohibits employment discrimination against a qualified individual with a disability because of the disability.) Prohibits the use of qualification standards, employment tests, or other selection criteria based on an individual's uncorrected vision unless the standard, test, or other selection criteria, as used by the covered entity, is shown to be related to the position and is consistent with business necessity. Declares that nothing in the Act: (1) alters the standards for determining eligibility for benefits under state worker's compensation laws or under state and federal disability benefit programs; (2) alters the requirement to make reasonable modifications in policies or procedures, unless such modifications would fundamentally alter the nature of the goods, services, facilities, or accommodations involved; or (3) provides the basis for a claim by an individual without a disability that the individual was subject to discrimination because of the individual's lack of disability. Declares that the authority of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Attorney General, and the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations includes the authority to issue regulations implementing the definitions of this Act. Makes conforming amendments to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2008
Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, with respect to veterans who have been discharged from active-duty service for 365 days or less and for whom a permanent disability rating is not immediately assignable, to assign a pre-stabilization disability rating of: (1) 100%, for a veteran with a severe disability for whom substantially gainful employment is not feasible or advisable; and (2) 50%, for a veteran with a wound or injury for whom material impairment of employability is likely. Terminates the pre-stabilization rating: (1) when a veteran receives a permanent disability rating based on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) schedule for rating disabilities; or (2) 365 days after the veteran's last separation or release from active duty. Allows the Secretary, when appropriate, to extend the pre-stabilization rating beyond such date.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2008
Commends and expresses gratitude to: (1) the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces for the service, sacrifices, and heroism that made the success of the troop surge in Iraq possible; and (2) General David H. Petraeus, General Raymond Odierno, and Ambassador Ryan Crocker for the distinguished wartime leadership that made such success possible. Recognizes the success of the troop surge in Iraq and its strategic significance in advancing U.S. vital national interests in Iraq, the Middle East, and the world, in particular as a strategic victory in a central front of the war on terrorism. Recognizes that the gains achieved as a result of the troop surge are significant but not permanent, and that it is imperative that no action be taken that jeopardizes those gains or dishonors the service and sacrifice of the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces who made those gains possible.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2008
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to extend from three to four years the lookback timeframe for recognition of certain designations and certification with respect to rural health clinics under the Medicare program.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2008
National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center Commemorative Coin Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue $1 coins emblematic of the courage, pride, sacrifice, sense of duty, and history of the U.S. Infantry, in commemoration of the legacy of the U.S. Army Infantry and the establishment of the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center. Expresses the sense of Congress that the coins should be struck at the U.S. Mint at West Point, New York, to the greatest extent possible. Restricts coin issuance to calendar year 2012. Requires a $10 surcharge per coin, and payment of all surcharges received to the National Infantry Foundation to establish an endowment to support the maintenance of the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2008
Honors the role of the Lander Trail (the first federal road west of the Mississippi River) in the settlement of the western United States on the sesquicentennial (the 150th) anniversary of the Trail.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2008
Honors and commemorates the selfless acts of heroism displayed by the late Private First Class Jacob Joseph Chestnut and Detective John Michael Gibson of the U.S. Capitol Police on July 24, 1998. Expresses: (1) the condolences of the Senate to the wives, children, and other family members of Private First Class Chestnut and Detective Gibson on the 10-year anniversary of their passing; (2) gratitude and appreciation for the professional manner in which the U.S. Capitol Police carry out their diverse missions; and (3) appreciation for the dedication U.S. Capitol Police officers have for protecting the Capitol Complex. Commends the U.S. Capitol Police for their continued courage and professionalism in protecting the Capitol Complex and its employees and visitors.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2008
Good Neighbor Forestry Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to enter into cooperative agreements and contracts with state foresters to provide the forest, rangeland, and watershed restoration and protection services as specified below on National Forest System and Bureau of Land Management lands. Specifies that such authorized services include: (1) activities to treat insect infected trees; (2) activities to reduce hazardous fuels; and (3) any other activities to restore or improve forest, rangeland, and watershed health, including fish and wildlife habitat. Permits state foresters to enter into subcontracts to provide the restoration and protection services authorized under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2008
Recognizes the historic significance of the 10th anniversary of the al Qaeda bombings of the U.S. embassies in Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. Mourns the loss of those killed and remembers their families and colleagues. Expresses gratitude to the people of Kenya and Tanzania for their assistance following the attacks. Reaffirms the Senate's resolve to defeat al Qaeda and other terrorist organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2008
America's Beautiful National Parks Quarter Dollar Coin Act of 2008 - Requires quarter dollars, issued beginning in 2010, to have designs on the reverse emblematic of one national site in each state, the District of Columbia, and specified U.S. territories. Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to select in each state a national park or other national site to be honored with a coin. Requires Yellowstone National Park, since it was established on March 1, 1872, as the nation's first national park, to be depicted on the first quarter dollar issued and to be designated to the state of Wyoming. Requires: (1) 5 coin designs in each of the first 10 years of either the original period of issuance or the second period of issuance; and (2) 6 coin designs in the 11th year of either the original period of issuance or the second period of issuance. Instructs the Secretary to strike and make available for sale silver bullion coins that are exact duplicates of such quarter dollars. Authorizes the Director of the National Park Service to purchase for resale or distribution numismatic items issued under this Act. Requires the Secretary to take such actions as are necessary to ensure that minting and issuing coins under this Act will not result in any net cost to the federal government.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2008
Foot and Mouth Disease Prevention Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to prohibit the importation into the United States of any ruminant or swine, or any fresh (including chilled or frozen) meat or product of any ruminant or swine, that is born, raised, or slaughtered in Argentina until the Secretary certifies to Congress that every region of Argentina is free of foot and mouth disease without vaccination.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2008
Better Energy Strategy for Tomorrow Act of 2008, or the BEST Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Energy each year to: (1) analyze all federal policies that encourage, or have the potential to encourage, energy production in the United States; and (2) report to specified congressional committees recommendations for the adjustment of such policies to reduce the dependence of the United States on foreign sources of energy, air pollutants in the environment, greenhouse gas emissions, and the cost of energy. Requires the President to develop every four years and report to Congress on an energy security strategy that proposes comprehensive and long-range energy policies to reduce such dependence, air pollutants, emissions, and cost.
United States · United States Congress · 7 July 2008
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable Jesse Alexander Helms, Jr., former Senator from North Carolina. Declares that when the Senate adjourns on July 7, 2008, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of Senator Helms.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2008
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to suspend temporarily the duty on certain acrylic fiber tow.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2008
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to suspend temporarily the duty on certain acrylic fiber tow.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2008
America's Beautiful National Parks Quarter Dollar Coin Act of 2008 - Requires quarter dollars, issued beginning in 2010, to have designs on the reverse emblematic of one national site in each state, the District of Columbia and territory of the United States. Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to select in each state a national park or other national site to be honored with a coin. Requires Yellowstone National Park, established on March 1, 1872, as the nation's first national park, to be depicted on the first quarter dollar issued and to be designated to the state of Wyoming. Requires five coin designs in each year of the period of issuance. Instructs the Secretary to strike and make available for sale silver bullion coins that are exact duplicates of such quarter dollars. Authorizes the Director of the National Park Service to purchase for resale or distribution numismatic items issued under this Act. Requires the Secretary to take such actions as are necessary to ensure that minting and issuing coins under this Act will not result in any net cost to the federal government.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2008
Gas Price Reduction Act of 2008 - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) to prescribe procedures for petition, by the governor of a state with a new producing area within the offshore administrative boundaries beyond the state's submerged land, to make the new producing area available for oil and gas leasing. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to deposit specified percentages of outer Continental Shelf revenues into: (1) the general fund of the Treasury; and (2) into a special account in the Treasury for disbursal to both new producing states and to the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Amends the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008, to repeal the prohibition against funding: (1) regulations regarding a commercial leasing program for oil shale resources on public lands; or (2) an oil shale lease sale. Instructs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) expand and accelerate research and development efforts for advanced batteries; and (2) implement a direct loan program for up to 30% of the costs of advanced battery production. Expresses the sense of the Senate that the federal government should implement policies to increase federal purchases of plug-in electric drive vehicles. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to study jointly and report to Congress on the international regime for regulating trading in energy commodity futures and derivatives. Amends the Commodity Exchange Act to prohibit the CFTC from permitting a foreign board of trade to provide to participants subject to CFTC jurisdiction direct access to electronic trading and order matching unless specified requirements are met. Directs the CFTC to: (1) promulgate rules for routine reporting requirements for index traders and swap dealers in energy and agricultural transactions; and (2) disaggregate and make public monthly information on the positions and value of index funds and other passive, long-only positions in the energy and agricultural futures markets. Instructs the CFTC to report to certain congressional committees on: (1) the scope of commodity index trading in the futures markets; (2) whether classification of index traders and swap dealers in the futures markets can be improved for regulatory and reporting purposes; and (3) whether index trading activity is adversely impacting the price discovery process in the futures markets and whether different practices and controls should be required. Instructs the CFTC to hire additional employees.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2008
Enumerated Powers Act - Requires each Act of Congress to contain a concise and definite statement of the constitutional authority relied upon for the enactment of each portion of that Act. Declares that failure to comply with this requirement shall give rise to a point of order in either chamber of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2008
Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act - Prohibits considering a veteran, surviving spouse, or child who is mentally incapacitated, deemed mentally incompetent, or experiencing an extended loss of consciousness from being considered adjudicated as a mental defective for purposes of the right to receive or transport firearms without the order or finding of a judge, magistrate, or other judicial authority of competent jurisdiction that such veteran, surviving spouse, or child is a danger to him- or herself or others.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2008
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) modify tax-exempt bond financing rules to exclude from the private business use and private loan financing tests certain property used to transmit electricity or carbon dioxide or to transport crude oil and other petroleum products; and (2) reduce the state volume cap for tax-exempt bonds by the amount of bonds issued for such property. Describes the following as acts that unreasonably burden and discriminate against interstate commerce, and prohibits states, political subdivisions, and any other taxing authority from: (1) assessing natural gas pipeline property at a value that has a higher ratio to its true market value than the ratio used to assess other commercial and industrial property in the same assessment jurisdiction; (2) levying or collecting a tax on such an assessment; (3) levying or collecting an ad valorem property tax on natural gas pipeline property at a rate that exceeds the rate applicable to commercial and industrial property in the same assessment jurisdiction; or (4) imposing any other tax that discriminates against a natural gas pipeline providing transportation subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Grants jurisdiction to U.S. District Courts and provides specified relief for claims of discriminatory taxation of natural gas pipeline property. Amends federal transportation law to modify the criteria for natural gas pipeline integrity reassessments to require the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations basing the intervals for reassessments on certain technical data, risk factors, and engineering analysis.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2008
Preserving Access to Medicare Act of 2008 - Craig Thomas Rural Hospital and Provider Equity Act of 2008 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) revise the payment adjustment for low-volume hospitals; (2) extend increased Medicare payments for ground ambulance services; (3) extend the authorization for Medicare rural hospital flexibility program grants; (4) provide for rebasing for sole community hospitals; and (5) extend the rural home health add-on policy through 2009. Revises the formula for payments for physician services to provide an update to the single conversion factor of: (1) 0.5% for the remainder of 2008; and (2) 1.1% for 2009. Extends the Physician Assistance and Quality Initiative (PAQI) Fund. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a Physician Feedback Program. Revises requirements or provides for: (1) incentive payments for electronic prescribing and primary care services in physician scarcity areas; (2) the Medicare anesthesia teaching program; (3) advanced diagnostic imaging services; (4) Medicare coverage of items and services under cardiac rehabilitation and pulmonary rehabilitation programs; (5) phase-out of the indirect costs of medical education (IME) from capitation rates; (6) quality improvement programs; and (7) certain prohibitions with respect to marketing of Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans. Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary to establish specified pilot projects regarding chronic kidney disease. Amends the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 to extend the transitional medical assistance (TMA) and abstinence education programs. Amends SSA title XIX to extend: (1) the qualifying individual program; and (2) the Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) allotment for Tennessee and Hawaii. Provides for: (1) asset verification under Medicaid; and (2) reduction in payments for Medicaid administrative costs to prevent certain payment duplications. Amends the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 to extend authority for supplemental grants under SSA title IV part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF). Amends the Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 to provide for additional funding for state health insurance assistance programs, area agencies on aging, and aging and disability resource centers. Amends the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 to make appropriations for federal reimbursement of eligible providers for emergency health services furnished to undocumented aliens.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2008
Honors the courage and humanity of Dr. Feng Shan Ho for acting at great personal risk to issue Chinese visas to Jews in Vienna between 1938 and 1940. Recognizes his heroic deeds in saving the lives of thousands of Jewish persons by allowing them to escape the Holocaust.
United States · United States Congress · 2 June 2008
Declares that: (1) preventing the government of Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability through economic, political, and diplomatic means is vital to U.S. national security; and (2) nothing in this resolution authorizes the use of force against Iran. Urges the President to use his authority to impose sanctions on: (1) Iranian banks engaged in proliferation activities or the support of terrorist groups; (2) international banks which conduct financial transactions with sanctioned Iranian banks; (3) energy companies with large investments in the Iranian petroleum or natural gas sector; and (4) all companies which do business with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Demands that the President lead an international effort to increase pressure on Iran to suspend its nuclear enrichment activities, including by banning the importation of refined petroleum products to Iran.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2008
Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior from considering global climate change as a natural or manmade factor in the determination as to whether a species is threatened or endangered until the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notifies the Secretary that: (1) each major emitter of greenhouse gas (GHG) (specifically including China, India, and the United States) has ratified an international agreement to reduce the quantity of GHGs emitted; and (2) any such emitter found to not to be in compliance with such agreement, in any year, becomes compliant. Makes this Act effective as of January 1, 2006.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2008
Boy Scouts of America Centennial Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue up to 350,000 $1 coins in commemoration of the centennial of the founding of the Boy Scouts of America. Requires the coin design to be emblematic of the 100 years of the organization. Restricts issuance of such coins to February 8 through December 31, 2010. Subjects coin sales to a surcharge of $10 per coin. Requires payment of such surcharges to the National Boy Scouts of America Foundation, to be made available to local councils in the form of grants for the extension of Scouting in hard-to-serve areas.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2008
Designates August 2008 as Digital Television Transition Awareness Month to increase public awareness and encourage consumers to learn about the government coupon program for obtaining converter boxes. Encourages consumers to make the transition well before the conversion date (February 17, 2009). Encourages local nonprofit organizations to assist households in applying for the coupons and installing converter boxes and to educate consumers about websites and other sources of transition information.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2008
Declares that the Senate: (1) honors Lyndon B. Johnson for bringing about the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965; (2) extols his contributions to the United States; and (3) commends him for establishing the Medicare Act of 1965. Recognizes the 100th birthday of Lyndon Baines Johnson, the 36th president and designer of the Great Society.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2008
Amends the Clean Air Act to require the applicable volume of ethanol derived from corn starch in renewable fuel for the years 2006 through 2022 to not exceed nine billion gallons. Requires the renewable fuel regulations to impose penalties for failures to comply with advanced biofuel, cellulosic biofuel, and biomass-based diesel standards.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2008
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 · 6 May 2008
Celebrates 75 years of effective state-based alcohol regulation. Commends state lawmakers, regulators, law enforcement officers, the public health community, and industry members for successful collaboration in achieving a workable, legal, and successful system for the distribution and sale of alcoholic beverages. Reaffirms the Senate's continued support for policies that allow states to effectively regulate alcohol.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2008
American Energy Production Act of 2008 - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to permit projected lines of states adjacent to the subsoil and seabed of the outer Continental Shelf to be used for oil and gas preleasing and leasing activities. Authorizes the governor of a state with a new producing area within the offshore administrative boundaries beyond the submerged land of the state to petition the Secretary of Energy to make new producing areas available for oil and gas leasing. Sets forth a lease sales program for oil and gas development within the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Prescribes environmental protection procedures for the Coastal Plain. Requires Alaska to establish in its state treasury the Coastal Plain Local Government Impact Aid Assistance Fund to assist designated Alaska entities impacted by the oil and gas exploration and production. Prohibits exportation of oil or gas produced under this Act. Prescribes a refinery permitting process. Suspends petroleum acquisition for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). Amends the Clean Air Act to include renewable biomass within its purview. Sets forth an advanced battery manufacturing incentive program. Instructs the Assistant Administrator of the Office of Research and Development of the Environmental Protection Agency to implement a research and development program for adding materials to biofuels to make them more compatible with infrastructure used to store and deliver petroleum-based fuels. Instructs the Secretary of Energy to study and report to Congress on: (1) the feasibility of increasing consumption in the United States of ethanol-blended gasoline with specified levels of ethanol; and (2) specified diesel vehicle attributes. Clean Coal-Derived Fuels for Energy Security Act of 2008 - Directs the President to promulgate regulations to ensure that covered fuel introduced into commerce in the United States on an annual average basis contains a specified volume and percentage of clean coal-derived fuel. Amends the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 to repeal the prohibition against final regulations for commercial oil shale leasing program on public land. Amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to repeal the prohibition against federal agency contracts for procurement of alternative or synthetic fuel. Authorizes the Department of Defense to enter into multiyear contracts to purchase synthetic fuels.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2008
American Energy Production Act of 2008 - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to permit projected lines of states adjacent to the subsoil and seabed of the outer Continental Shelf to be used for oil and gas preleasing and leasing activities. Authorizes the governor of a state with a new producing area within the offshore administrative boundaries beyond the submerged land of the state to petition the Secretary of Energy requesting that the Secretary make new producing areas available for oil and gas leasing. Provides for disposition of outer Continental Shelf revenues from new producing areas to the Treasury and to new producing states and coastal political subdivisions. Sets forth a lease sales program for oil and gas development within the Coastal Plain located on a certain map entitled "Arctic National Wildlife Refuge." Prescribes environmental protection procedures for the Coastal Plain. Requires the State of Alaska to establish in is state treasury the "Coastal Plain Local Government Impact Aid Assistance Fund," to assist designated Alaska entities impacted by the oil and gas exploration and production. Prohibits exportation of oil or gas produced under this Act. Prescribes a refinery permitting process. Suspends petroleum acquisition for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Amends the Clean Air Act to include renewable biomass within its purview. Sets forth an advanced battery manufacturing incentive program. Instructs the Assistant Administrator of the Office of Research and Development of the Environmental Protection Agency to implement a research and development program for adding materials to biofuels to make the biofuels more compatible with infrastructure used to store and deliver petroleum-based fuels. Instructs the Secretary of Energy to study and report to Congress on: (1) the feasibility of increasing consumption in the United States of ethanol-blended gasoline with specified levels of ethanol; and (2) specified diesel vehicle attributes. Clean Coal-Derived Fuels for Energy Security Act of 2008 - Directs the President to promulgate regulations to ensure that covered fuel introduced into commerce in the United States on an annual average basis contains a specified volume and percentage of clean coal-derived fuel. Grants a temporary exemption to small refineries. Amends the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 to repeal the proscription against final regulations for commercial oil shale leasing program on public land. Amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to repeal the proscription against federal agency contracts for procurement of alternative or synthetic fuel. Authorizes the Department of Defense to enter into multiyear contracts to purchase synthetic fuels.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2008
Enhancement of Recruitment, Retention, and Readjustment Through Education Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Defense to develop a plan on the coordination of current Department of Defense (DOD) educational assistance programs and the development of additional programs to enable members of the Armed Forces (members) to attain a bachelor's degree while pursuing a military career. Increases rates of educational assistance: (1) under the Montgomery GI Bill; (2) for members of the Selected Reserve; and (3) for Selected Reserve members with extended (more than 12 years) service who provide support for contingency operations and other operations. Provides an annual stipend for individuals receiving basic educational assistance and pursuing a program of education at an approved institution of higher education. Allows a member who has completed six years of service (current law allows only members who have completed six years of service and have a military skill designated as critical) to transfer to one or more dependents any unused portion of the member's educational assistance entitlement. Provides similar authority for members of the Selected Reserve. Authorizes a member on active duty and entitled to basic educational assistance to use all or a portion thereof to repay any outstanding federal student loan. Makes eligible for educational assistance an individual who, after September 30, 2009, receives a commission upon graduation of a service academy or completion of Senior Reserve Officers' Training, and completes at least five years of continuous active duty. Makes eligible for enrollment under the Montgomery GI Bill certain retired personnel originally enrolled in the veterans' educational assistance program. Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a supplemental educational grant program under which a participating institution of higher education provides certain veterans with the non-federal share of a percentage of such veteran's unmet educational financial need.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2008
Government Oil Acquisition Financial Accountability and Consumer Relief Act of 2008 - Instructs the Secretary of Energy to suspend petroleum acquisition for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). Authorizes the Secretary to resume petroleum acquisition for the SPR not earlier than 30 days after the date on which the Secretary notifies Congress that for the most recent consecutive four-week period: (1) the weighted average price of retail, regular, all formulations gasoline in the United States is $2.50 or less per gallon; or (2) the weighted average price of retail, No. 2 diesel in the United States is $2.75 or less per gallon. Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to require that acquisitions made for the SPR reflect a steady monthly dollar value of oil. Instructs the Secretary to include at least 10% heavy crude oil in making any crude oil acquisitions for the SPR.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2008
Welcomes Pope Benedict XVI on the occasion of his first pastoral visit to the United States and recognizes the unique insights his moral and spiritual reflections bring to the world stage.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2008
Recognizes the historic significance of the 60th anniversary of the reestablishment of Israel as a homeland for the Jewish people. Reaffirms the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the United States and Israel. Commends the people of Israel for their achievements in building a new state and a pluralistic democratic society. Reaffirms support for Israel's right to defend itself against threats to its security and existence. Extends congratulations and best wishes to Israel and the Israeli people for a peaceful and successful future.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 2008
Gray Wolf Livestock Loss Mitigation Act of 2008 - Authorizes the Secretary to the Interior, acting through the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to provide grants to states and Indian tribes to pay the federal share of carrying out programs to compensate livestock producers for activities undertaken to reduce the risk of livestock loss as a result of a predatory species. Directs the Secretary to designate the states of Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho, and such other states and Indian tribes as the Secretary determines from among states and tribes as having populations of predatory species, as eligible to receive such grants. Limits the federal share of the cost of carrying out such a compensation program to half of its total annual cost.