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United States · Official source
3,789 records where Sen. Biden, Joseph R., Jr. [D-DE] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2002
Designates both March 31, 2002, and March 31, 2003, as National Civilian Conservation Corps Day.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 2002
Designates the week of March 17 through 23, 2002, as National Inhalants and Poison Prevention Week.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 2001
Nurse Reinvestment Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to permit the service required by the Nursing Workforce Development Student Loan Repayment program to be performed in a nursing home, in a hospice, in a home health agency, in a nurse-managed health center, or in a public health department, in addition to facilities where such service may currently be performed. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a National Nurse Corps Scholarship program to provide scholarships to individuals seeking nursing education in exchange for service from such individuals in critical nursing shortage areas or facilities upon completion of such education. Sets forth eligibility, application, payment, and reporting requirements. Requires the Secretary to award grants to schools of nursing and/or health care facilities to develop and support: (1) educational outreach programs to encourage entry into the profession, targeting primary, secondary, and other schools, the disadvantaged, underrepresented minorities, and underserved rural and urban communities; (2) career ladder programs; (3) gerontology curriculum and competencies and efforts to encourage long-term care nursing services for the elderly as a career choice; (4) nurse internship and residency programs; and (5) demonstrations of models and best practices in nursing care, including retention strategies. Requires the Secretary to develop and administer a comprehensive national multi-media public education campaign to encourage pursuit of the nursing profession. Includes grants for similar State campaigns. Requires the Secretary to award grants to area health education centers to develop models of excellence for nurses or expand existing school mentoring programs to include one for nurses. Establishes for advanced degree nursing students: (1) a fast-track nursing faculty loan program, providing loan forgiveness in exchange for teaching services; and (2) a scholarship and stipend program. Establishes a National Commission on the Recruitment and Retention of Nurses to make innovative and creative recommendations concerning recruitment, retention, and advancement.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 2001
National Child Protection Improvement Act - Amends the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 to direct the Attorney General to establish: (1) a national center for volunteer and provider screening to provide nationwide background checks through the national criminal history background check system to determine whether a volunteer provider or provider is unfit to have responsibilities for the safety and well-being of children, the elderly, or individuals with disabilities; and (2) a National Volunteer Screening Task Force to oversee such center. Amends the National Child Protection Act of 1993 to mandate submission of such background checks to the screening center. Mandates establishment of a model grant program in each State for the purpose of improving fingerprinting technology.
United States · United States Congress · 13 December 2001
Extends the tax benefits available under the Internal Revenue Code for services performed in a combat zone to active duty performed by a member of the U.S. armed forces in the Republic of Korea in any area that qualifies such member for hardship duty pay.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2001
Security Assistance Act of 2001 - Mandates specified allocations of appropriations to the Bureau of Verification and Compliance of the Department of State, for activities related to verification of arms control and nonproliferation agreements, including the Key Verification Assets Fund. Requires use of the Special Defense Acquisition Fund for nonproliferation and counter-narcotics purposes. Authorizes appropriations under the Arms Export Control Act, the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, and the Security Assistance Act of 2000 with respect to foreign military sales and financing, international military education and training (IMET), security assistance for Israel, Egypt, Greece, Turkey, and specified other countries, antiterrorism assistance, nonproliferation and export control assistance, destruction of surplus weapons stockpiles, and demining programs. Authorizes funds for excess defense articles for certain countries. Amends the Arms Export Control Act's prohibition on transactions with countries that repeatedly support acts of international terrorism by providing access to nuclear explosive devices or material to include chemical, biological, and radiological agents as well. Authorizes the establishment of an interagency program of law enforcement designed to prevent the diversion of sensitive United States technology. Amends the Soviet Scientists Immigration Act of 1992 to expand the number of foreign scientists eligible for immigration. Expresses the sense of Congress favoring a gradual increase in the budget of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Russian Federation Debt Reduction for Nonproliferation Act of 2001 - Authorizes the President to engage in debt-for-nonproliferation exchanges and other specified transactions to reduce the amount of outstanding Soviet-era debt owed by the Russian Federation to the United States. Nonproliferation Assistance Coordination Act of 2001- Establishes the Committee on Nonproliferation Assistance to the Independent States of the Former Soviet Union to monitor U.S. nonproliferation efforts in the independent states of the former Soviet Union and coordinate the implementation of related U.S. policy. Prescribes requirements for expediting the munitions export licensing process. Directs the Secretary of State to establish and report to the appropriate congressional committees on a National Security Assistance Strategy for the United States. Declares U.S. policy regarding nuclear and missile proliferation in South Asia. Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives regarding nonproliferation commitments and export controls in free trade agreements with foreign countries. Prescribes requirements with respect to: (1) real-time public availability of raw seismological data; (2) the detailing of U.S. Government personnel to international arms control and nonproliferation organizations; (3) establishment of a Counselor for Nonproliferation and Political Military Affairs in U.S. diplomatic missions overseas; (4) the fingerprinting of crop and livestock pathogens to enhance Government ability and research in pathogen epidemiology; (5) compliance with the Chemical Weapons Convention; and (6) authority to transfer naval vessels to certain foreign countries.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2001
Congratulates Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty on a half century of effort in promoting democratic values, particularly freedom of the press and freedom of expression in certain areas of the world. Recognizes such organization's major contribution to the growth of democracy throughout the world and its continuing efforts to advance vital U.S. interests in building a more peaceful, democratic, free, and stable world community.
United States · United States Congress · 7 December 2001
White House Commission on National Military Appreciation Month Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the President should establish the White House Commission on National Military Appreciation Month to make recommendations to the President on the proclamation of National Military Appreciation Month to be celebrated in May of each year; and (2) any such Commission should be composed of specified members. Expresses the sense of Congress that if such Commission is established, the President should also establish the Spirit of America Alliance to assist the Commission: (1) in the planning, organization, and conduct of an annual White House Conference on National Military Appreciation and other similar events; (2) in the promotion of the observance of such Month and other military commemorative events through appropriate means, subject to any guidelines developed by the Commission; (3) in the establishment of necessary incentives for Federal, State, and local governments and private sector entities to sponsor and participate in programs initiated by the Commission or the Alliance; (4) in the evaluation of the effectiveness of efforts by the Commission and the Alliance in carrying out this Act; and (5) by the performance of any other related duties that are assigned by the Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2001
Radio Free Afghanistan Act - Provides for the establishment of Radio Free Afghanistan. Amends the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1994 and 1995 to repeal the ban on the use of U.S. funds to construct a U.S. radio transmitter in Kuwait.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2001
Condemns the terrorist murders of 26 innocent people in Israel within 14 hours during December 1-2, 2001, and extends the deepest sympathies of Congress to Israel and to the families of the victims. Expresses outrage at the ongoing Palestinian terrorist campaign and insists that the Palestinian Authority take all necessary steps to end it. Urges the President to suspend all relations with Yasser Arafat and the Palestinian Authority if they fail to take specified action to stop Palestinian terrorist groups from committing acts of terrorism. Urges the President to insist that countries harboring or materially supporting Palestinian terrorist groups end their support, dismantle the groups, and bring them to justice. Expresses U.S. solidarity with Israel in their struggle against terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 4 December 2001
Bioterrorism Preparedness Act of 2001 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to add provisions granting additional authorities to the Secretary of Health and Human Services concerning bioterrorism preparedness and responding to public health emergencies. Requires the Secretary to develop and implement a plan which includes the development of specific criteria enabling measurements to be made of the progress made at the national, State, and local levels toward achieving the national goal of bioterrorism preparedness. Requires the maintenance of an adequate national pharmaceutical stockpile of vaccines (including a smallpox vaccine), therapies, and medical supplies for use at the Secretary's discretion in the event of a biological threat or attack or other public health emergency. Expands the role of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Directs the Secretary to provide for the establishment of a coordinated network of public health laboratories to assist with the detection of and response to a biological threat or attack. Provides for the appointment of an Assistant Secretary for Emergency Preparedness who shall head the Office for Emergency Preparedness. Provides for a National Disaster Medical System to provide appropriate health and social services to respond to a public health emergency, if the Secretary activates the System. Provides for enhanced regulatory control of biological agents and toxins. Establishes a State Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Block Grant Program to improve State and local preparedness and response capabilities. Amends the Clayton Act to provide for a limited antitrust exemption with respect to the development of new countermeasures against bioterrorism. Requires, under the Public Health Service Act, the development of a crisis communications and education strategy with respect to bioterrorist threats to the food supply. Expands animal and plant health inspection service activities and authorities. Amends the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to expand the authority of the Food and Drug Administration with respect to food presenting a serious threat to humans or animals. Requires the registration of food manufacturing, processing, and handling facilities. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to utilize existing authorities to expand Agricultural Research Service and Cooperative State Research Education and Extension Service programs to protect the food supply of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 30 November 2001
States that the Senate recognizes the achievements and contributions of Korean-Americans to the United States over the past 100 years.
United States · United States Congress · 27 November 2001
Establishes a National Commission on Threats to the Homeland and United States National Security to evaluate, in light of the terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001, threats to the United States and U.S. national security in order to assist the Federal Government in setting priorities in the national budget and in the organization of the relevant government departments to address those threats.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2001
Medicare Physician Payment Fairness Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to set the conversion factor (update) for payments under the Medicare physician fee schedule for 2002 at 0.9 percent less than the conversion factor for 2001. Declares that this conversion factor and a specified update adjustment factor for a year after 2002 shall be applied as if this Act had not been in effect. Directs the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MEDPAC) to study and report to Congress on replacing the use of the sustainable growth rate as a factor in determining the update for such payments with a factor that more fully accounts for changes in the unit costs of providing physicians' services.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2001
Bioterrorism Preparedness Act of 2001 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to add provisions granting additional authorities to the Secretary of Health and Human Services concerning bioterrorism preparedness and responding to public health emergencies. Requires the Secretary to develop and implement a plan which includes the development of specific criteria enabling measurements to be made of the progress made at the national, State, and local levels toward achieving the national goal of bioterrorism preparedness. Requires the maintenance of an adequate national pharmaceutical stockpile of vaccines (including a smallpox vaccine), therapies, and medical supplies for use at the Secretary's discretion in the event of a biological threat or attack or other public health emergency. Expands the role of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Directs the Secretary to provide for the establishment of a coordinated network of public health laboratories to assist with the detection of and response to a biological threat or attack. Provides for the appointment of an Assistant Secretary for Emergency Preparedness who shall head the Office for Emergency Preparedness. Provides for a National Disaster Medical System to provide appropriate health and social services to respond to a public health emergency, if the Secretary activates the System. Provides for enhanced regulatory control of biological agents and toxins. Establishes a State Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Block Grant Program to improve State and local preparedness and response capabilities. Amends the Clayton Act to provide for a limited antitrust exemption with respect to the development of new countermeasures against bioterrorism. Requires the development of a crisis communications and education strategy with respect to bioterrorist threats to the food supply. Expands animal and plant health inspection service activities and authorities. Directs the Secretary to expand the authority of the Food and Drug Administration to: (1) increase inspections to ensure the safety of the food supply; and (2) improve linkages between the Agency and other regulatory agencies of the Federal Government, the States, and Indian tribes with shared responsibilities. Provides for food manufacturing, processing, and distribution biosecurity, agricultural biosecurity and biosecurity upgrades at the Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services. Requires the registration of food manufacturing, processing, and handling facilities. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to utilize existing authorities to expand Agricultural Research Service and Cooperative State Research Education and Extension Service programs to protect the food supply of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2001
Amends the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940 to provide that duty performed with the National Guard mobilized by a State in support of Operation Enduring Freedom or otherwise at the request of the President shall qualify as military service under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2001
Military Homeowners Equity Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to state that members of the Uniformed or Foreign Services on qualified official extended duty shall be considered to be using already owned and used property as a principal residence for purposes of determining exclusion of gain upon such residence's sale.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 2001
Captive Exotic Animal Protection Act of 2001 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit and set penalties for knowingly transferring, transporting, or possessing a confined exotic animal for purposes of allowing the killing or injuring of that animal for entertainment or the collection of a trophy.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 2001
Protection Against Terrorist Hoaxes Act of 2001 - Amends the Federal criminal code to set criminal and civil penalties for using the mail, telephone, telegraph, or other instrument of, in, or affecting interstate or foreign commerce to knowingly engage in any conduct that is likely to impart the false impression that activity is taking place, or will take place, that violates provisions regarding biological or chemical weapons, nuclear materials, or weapons of mass destruction. Makes a violator of such civil offense liable to the United States or any State for a civil penalty of the greater of $10,000 or the amount expended by the United States or the State in responding to the false information. Directs the court to order a defendant who has been convicted of such a criminal offense to reimburse the United States or a State for any expenses incurred incident to the investigation of the offense, including the cost of any response made to protect public health or safety. Makes such person jointly and severally liable for such expenses with each other person ordered to reimburse the United States or any State.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 2001
Welcomes the Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, to the United States. Expresses gratitude to the Government of India for its expressions of sympathy for the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and its demonstrated willingness to fully cooperate with the United States in the campaign against terrorism. Pledges commitment to the continued expansion of friendship and cooperation between the United States and India.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2001
Federal-Local Information Sharing Partnership Act of 2001 - Amends the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, the Federal criminal code, and the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act (USA PATRIOT ACT) of 2001 to authorize the sharing of grand jury information, electronic, wire, and oral interception information, and foreign intelligence information, respectively, with State or local law enforcement personnel. Directs that such information be used consistent with such guidelines as the Attorney General shall issue to protect confidentiality. Amends: (1) the Fair Credit Reporting Act to authorize the recipient of a consumer report or information to disclose the contents to law enforcement personnel to assist in the performance of official duties; and (2) the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize the Secretary of State to provide copies of Department of State and U.S. diplomatic and consular office records regarding visas or related information to law enforcement personnel. Directs that such information be used consistent with such guidelines. Amends: (1) the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 to authorize the sharing of information acquired from an electronic surveillance or from a physical search with law enforcement personnel; and (2) the General Education Provisions Act and the National Education Statistics Act of 1994 to authorize the disclosure of the contents of education records and reports, records, and information to law enforcement personnel, subject to guidelines for the use of that information.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 2001
Railroad Advancement and Infrastructure Law for the 21st Century - Amends Federal transportation law to authorize appropriations for FY 2003 to the Secretary of Transportation for Amtrak capital expenditures, operating expenses, and certain mandatory payments. Repeals certain Amtrak self-sufficiency requirements terminating Federal operating grant funds (Government subsidies) to Amtrak. Authorizes emergency appropriations for specified Amtrak activities. Amends the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 to change from discretionary to mandatory the authority of the Secretary to provide direct loans and loan guarantees for railroad rehabilitation and improvement projects to State and local governments, certain interstate compacts, government sponsored authorities, and corporations, railroads, and joint ventures that include at least one railroad. Includes the acquisition, improvement, or rehabilitation of rail safety and security equipment and facilities as an eligible project for such financing. Increases the aggregate amount: (1) of direct loans and loan guarantees made at any one time for such projects; and (2) for projects primarily benefitting non-class I freight railroad carriers. Sets forth additional requirements with respect to cohorts of such direct loans and loan guarantees (involving commitment from non-Federal sources), and applications for them. Establishes a program of capital grants to class II and III railroads to rehabilitate, preserve, or improve railroad track used primarily for freight transportation to a standard to ensure that it can be operated safely and efficiently and accommodate 286,000 pound rail cars. Sets forth certain grant and project requirements. Authorizes appropriations through FY 2009 for certain designated High-Speed Rail Corridor projects.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 2001
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States should make a substantial new investment this year in bioterrorism preparedness and response, including: (1) improving State and local preparedness capabilities, hospital response capabilities, disaster response medical systems, and the National Pharmaceutical Stockpile program; (2) upgrading the capabilities of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); (3) targeting research for therapeutics and vaccines for bioterrorist agents and food safety activities; and (4) increasing international cooperation in securing biological agents, increasing surveillance, and retraining biological warfare specialists.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 2001
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) a National Character Counts Week should be established to promote character education; and (2) the President should issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to embrace the elements of character identified by their local schools and communities such as trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, citizenship, and honesty.
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 2001
Expresses the condolences of the Senate on the death of Honorable Mike Mansfield, formerly a Senator from Montana.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2001
American Small Business Emergency Relief and Recovery Act of 2001 - Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Small Business Administration (SBA) to make disaster loans to a small business concern that has been directly affected and suffered or is likely to suffer substantial economic injury as the direct result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, including injury due to closure or suspension of its business for national security purposes by the Federal Government. Authorizes the SBA, during the year after enactment of this Act, to make loans to small business concerns that have suffered or are likely to suffer economic harm to or disruption of operations as a result such attacks. Waives guarantee fees and increases the guarantee percentage on such loans for one year after the enactment of this Act. Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to: (1) waive development company debenture guarantee loan fees for financings made after enactment of this Act for one year; and (2) authorize small business investment companies to issue leverage to assist small business concerns adversely impacted by the terrorist attacks. Amends the Small Business Act to authorize special, individualized assistance to small business concerns adversely impacted by the terrorist attacks through the following programs; (1) small business development centers; (2) Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE); (3) microloan program (women, low-income, veterans, minority); and (4) women's business center program. Directs the Office of Advocacy of the SBA to conduct annual studies on the impact of the events of September 11, 2001, on small business concerns, and the effects of assistance provided under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2001
Uniting and Strengthening America Act or the USA Act of 2001 - Establishes a counterterrorism fund. Condemns discrimination against Arab and Muslim Americans. Increases funding for the technical support center at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Authorizes the Attorney General to request military assistance to enforce laws related to any weapon of mass destruction. Requires the Director of the U.S. Secret Service to develop a national electronic crime task force. Grants the President authority to confiscate any property of any foreign person, country, or organization involved with an attack on or armed hostilities with the United States. Amends Federal criminal law to provide for authority to intercept wire, oral, and electronic communications relating to computer fraud and abuse offenses. Permits disclosure to specified Federal personnel of Federal grand jury matters pertaining to intelligence or counterintelligence. Allows sharing of electronic, wire, and oral interception information by Federal law enforcement and other specified Federal officials. Permits the similar sharing of foreign intelligence information. Requires the FBI Director to expedite the hiring of translators to support counterterrorism investigations and operations. Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 with respect to roving surveillance authority and duration of surveillance of non-U.S. persons who are agents of a foreign power. Permits the seizure of voice mail messages pursuant to search warrants. Allows subpoenas for records of electronic communications to include temporarily assigned network addresses. Permits electronic communication and remote computing service providers to make emergency disclosures to a governmental entity of customer electronic communications to protect life and limb. Authorizes Federal district courts to allow a delay of required notices of the execution of a warrant if immediate notice may have an adverse result. Prohibits use of a pen register or trap and trace devices in any investigation to protect against international terrorism or clandestine intelligence activities that is conducted solely on the basis of activities protected by the first amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Authorizes the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) (or designee) to apply for an court order requiring production of certain business records for foreign intelligence and international terrorism investigations. Amends Federal criminal law to: (1) require a trap and trace device to restrict recording or decoding so as not to include the contents of a wire or electronic communication; (2) apply a court order for a pen register or trap and trace devices to any person or entity providing wire or electronic communication service in the United States whose assistance may facilitate execution of the order; (3) allow a trap and trace device to identify the source (but not the contents) of a wire or electronic communication; and (4) provide for nationwide service of search warrants for electronic evidence. Amends the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 to extend trade sanctions to the territory of Afghanistan controlled by the Taliban. International Money Laundering Abatement and Anti-Terrorist Financing Act of 2001 - Sunsets this Act after the first day of FY2005 if Congress enacts specified legislation to that effect. Prescribes special measures for jurisdictions, financial institutions, or international transactions of primary money laundering concern, including a proscription against United States correspondent accounts with foreign shell banks. Establishes Federal jurisdiction over foreign money launderers, money that is laundered through a foreign bank, and foreign and domestic bank records related to anti-money laundering programs. Provides for forfeiture of money laundering funds in U.S. interbank accounts. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 to declare inadmissible aliens who have engaged in proscribed money laundering activities. Authorizes Federal application for restraining orders to preserve the availability of property subject to a foreign forfeiture or confiscation judgment. Increases civil and criminal penalties for international money laundering. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to issue regulations to ensure that concentration accounts of financial institutions are not used to prevent association of the identity of an individual customer with the movement of funds of which the customer is the direct or beneficial owner. Establishes civil liability immunity for disclosures by a financial institution that reports suspicious activities. Mandates that financial institutions institute anti-money laundering programs. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to authorize the inclusion of suspicions of illegal activity in written employment references . Mandates that securities brokers and dealers report suspicious financial transactions. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to share monetary instruments transactions records with any U.S. intelligence agency upon request. Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to require a consumer reporting agency to furnish all information in a consumer's file to a government agency authorized to conduct investigations of or intelligence activities related to international terrorism. Places within the ambit of mandatory records and reports on monetary instruments transactions any person who engages as a business in the transmission of funds, including through an informal value transfer banking system or network (e.g., hawala) of people facilitating the transfer of value domestically or internationally outside of the conventional financial institutions system. Establishes as a bulk cash smuggling offense the knowing concealment and attempted transport (or transfer) across U.S. borders of currency and monetary instruments in excess of $10,000, with intent to evade specified currency reporting requirements. Expresses the sense of Congress with respect to: (1) the corruption of foreign governments and ruling elites; (2) support for the anti-international money laundering objectives of the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering; and (3) actions addressing terrorist funding through money laundering. Authorizes: (1) the Attorney General to waive certain Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) personnel caps with respect to ensuring security needs on the Northern U.S. border; and (2) appropriations for increased Border Patrol, Customs Service, and INS personnel along such border. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to require the Attorney General and the FBI to provide the Department of State and the INS with access to specified criminal history extracts in order to determine whether or not a visa or admissions applicant has a criminal history. Directs the Attorney General and the Secretary of State to develop a technology standard to identify visa and admissions applicants. Broadens the scope of aliens ineligible for admission and deportable for terrorist activities. Defines "terrorist organization" as: (1) a designated foreign or other terrorist organization; or (2) a group of two or more individuals which engage in specified terrorist-related activities. Provides for mandatory detention until removal from the United States (regardless of any relief from removal) of an alien certified by the Attorney General as a suspected terrorist or threat to national security. Requires release of such alien after seven days if removal proceedings have not commenced, or the alien has not been charged with a criminal offense. Limits judicial review to habeas corpus proceedings in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. Broadens visa information disclosure requirements. Professional Standards for Government Attorneys Act of 2001 - Directs the Judicial Conference of the United States to review areas of actual or potential conflicts of interest for Government attorneys and make recommendations for the Supreme Court, in its discretion, to prescribe a uniform national rule for such attorneys with respect to communications with represented persons and parties. Authorizes the Attorney General and revises the Secretary of State's authority to pay rewards to combat terrorism. Qualifies a Federal terrorism offense for collection of DNA for identification Authorizes consultation among Federal law enforcement officers regarding information acquired from an electronic surveillance or physical search in terrorism and related investigations or protective measures. Allows the FBI to request telephone toll and transactional records, financial records, and consumer reports in any investigation to protect against international terrorism or clandestine intelligence activities only if the investigation is not conducted solely on the basis of activities protected by the first amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Revises U.S. Secret Service jurisdiction with respect to fraud and related activity in connection with computers. Amends the General Education Provisions Act and the National Education Statistics Act of 1994 to provide for disclosure of educational records to the Attorney General in a terrorism investigation or prosecution. Provides for expedited payments for: (1) public safety officers involved in the prevention, investigation, rescue, or recovery efforts related to a terrorist attack; and (2) heroic public safety officers. Increases Public Safety Officers Benefit Program payments. Amends the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 to establish an antiterrorism emergency reserve in the Victims of Crime Fund. Authorizes the Director of the Office of Victims of Crime to make supplemental grants for victims of terrorism to States, victim service organizations, public agencies, and nongovernmental organizations the provide assistance to crime victims. Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to extend Bureau of Justice Assistance regional information sharing system grants to systems that enhance the investigation and prosecution abilities of participating Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies in addressing multi-jurisdictional terrorist conspiracies and activities. Amends the Federal criminal code to establish criminal penalties for terrorist attacks and other acts of violence against mass transportation systems. Prescribes penalties for: (1) knowing possession in certain circumstances of biological agents, toxins, or delivery systems, especially by certain restricted persons; and (2) harboring any person known to have committed or to be about to commit a terrorism offense. Establishes Federal jurisdiction over crimes committed at U.S. facilities abroad. Subjects to civil forfeiture all assets, foreign or domestic, of terrorist organizations. Extends the statute of limitations for certain terrorism offenses without limit. Provides for alternative maximum penalties for terrorism crimes. Makes the penalties for attempts and conspiracies the same as the penalties for terrorism offenses. Makes any term of years or life the supervised release terms for offenses with terrorism predicates. Makes specified terrorism crimes Racketeer Influenced And Corrupt Organizations (RICO) statute predicates. Revises prohibitions and penalties with regard to fraud and related activity in connection with computers to include specified cyberterrorism offenses. Directs the Attorney General to establish regional computer forensic laboratories, and support existing laboratories, to develop specified cybersecurity capabilities. Requires the Director of Central Intelligence (DCI) to establish requirements and priorities for foreign intelligence collected under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, and to provide assistance to the Attorney General to ensure that information derived from electronic surveillance or physical searches is disseminated for efficient and effective foreign intelligence purposes. Requires the inclusion of international terrorist activities within the scope of foreign intelligence under such Act. Expresses the sense of Congress that officers and employees of the intelligence community should establish and maintain intelligence relationships to acquire information on terrorists and terrorist organizations. Provides temporary authority to defer the submission to Congress of certain reports on intelligence and intelligence-related matters. Requires the Attorney General or head of any other Federal department or agency to disclose expeditiously to the DCI any foreign intelligence acquired in the course of a criminal investigation. Requires the Attorney General, DCI, and Secretary of the Treasury to report jointly to Congress on the feasibility and desirability of reconfiguring the Foreign Asset Tracking Center and the Office of Foreign Assets Control to provide for the analysis and dissemination of foreign intelligence relating to the financial capabilities and resources of international terrorist organizations. Requires the DCI to report to the appropriate congressional committees on the establishment and maintenance of the National Virtual Translation Center for timely and accurate translations of foreign intelligence for elements of the intelligence community. Requires the Attorney General to provide a program of training to Government officials regarding the identification and use of foreign intelligence.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 2001
Declares that, in the quest to identify, locate, and bring to justice the perpetrators and sponsors of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States, the civil rights and liberties of all Americans, including Sikh-Americans, should be protected. Condemns bigotry and acts of violence or discrimination against any Americans, including Sikh-Americans. Calls upon local and Federal law enforcement authorities to: (1) work to prevent hate crimes against all Americans; and (2) prosecute to the fullest extent of the law all those who commit hate crimes.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 2001
Authorizes the President to present, on behalf of Congress, a gold medal to Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr. (posthumously) and his widow Coretta Scott King in recognition of their service to the Nation.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 2001
Designates October 19, 2001, as National Mammography Day.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2001
Authorizes the President to provide assistance (through the export of defense articles or defense services, export of dual-use items, or extension of international financial assistance) to Pakistan and India if the President determines that it is in the national interest of the United States and important to U.S. efforts to respond to, deter, or prevent acts of international terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2001
Expresses sorrow for the deaths and injuries suffered by first responders who participated in evacuating and rescuing the innocent people after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001, and sympathy to their families and loved ones. Honors and commends such first responders. Encourages: (1) the President to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to pay respect to the first responder community for their service in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks and their continuing efforts to save lives; and (2) all levels of government to continue to work together to effectively coordinate emergency preparedness by providing the infrastructure, funding, and interagency communication and cooperation necessary to ensure that if an attack occurs, first responders will be as prepared as possible to respond effectively.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2001
Honoring the Passengers and Crew of United Flight 93 Act - Authorizes the President to award posthumously the Congressional Gold Medal to the passengers and crew of United Airlines flight 93 in the aftermath of the terrorist attack on the United States on September 11, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 2001
Requires the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance to pay (within 30 days of employing agency certification) death or permanent disability benefits to qualified beneficiaries of public safety officers who were killed or who suffered a catastrophic injury as a direct and proximate result of a personal injury sustained in the line of duty in connection with the rescue or recovery efforts related to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 2001
Emergency Aviation Security Act of 2001 - Directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to implement a sky marshal program that: (1) provides for random deployment of sky marshals on domestic commercial air passenger flights and international flights on American carriers into or out of the United States; (2) provides background and fitness checks for, and appropriate training, supervision, and equipment of, sky marshals; and (3) requires commercial air carriers to provide seating for a sky marshal on any selected air passenger flight without regard to the availability of seats on such flight. Authorizes the Administrator to impose a fee of not more than $1.00 per domestic flight segment to carry out such program.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2001
Condemns the terrorists who attacked the United States on September 11, 2001, as well as their sponsors. Extends condolences to the victims and their families and commends the heroic actions of the rescue workers, volunteers, and State and local officials who responded. Declares that the United States is entitled under international law to respond to these attacks. Expresses: (1) thanks to those foreign leaders and individuals who have expressed solidarity with the United States in the aftermath of the attacks and asks them to continue to stand with the United States in the war against international terrorism; (2) a commitment to support increased resources in the war to eradicate terrorism; and (3) support for the determination of the President to bring to justice and punish the perpetrators of these attacks and their sponsors. Declares September 12, 2001, to be a National Day of Unity and Mourning.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2001
Designates the month of October 2001 as Family History Month.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2001
Designates the week beginning September 16, 2001, as National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week.
United States · United States Congress · 4 September 2001
Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2002 and 2003 - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2002 and 2003 for: (1) the Department of State; and (2) U.S. international broadcasting activities. Amends specified Federal laws with respect to certain Department of State authorities and activities, including: (1) educational, cultural, public diplomacy, and consular activities; and (2) migration and refugee activities. Sets forth certain requirements with respect to: (1) the organization and personnel of the Department of State; (2) international organizations; (3) U.S. international broadcasting activities; and (4) specified reports. Middle East Peace Commitments Act of 2001 - Imposes specified sanctions with respect to the Palestine Liberation Organization or the Palestinian Authority if the President determines that such entities have not complied with certain commitments made with Israel. Tibetan Policy Act of 2001 - Urges the President and the Secretary of State to encourage the Government of the People's Republic of China to enter into negotiations with the Dalai Lama or his representatives leading to an agreement on Tibet. Declares it is U.S. policy to support economic development, cultural preservation, health care, education and environmental sustainability, release of, and access to, political prisoners, and an end to religious persecution in Tibet. East Timor Transition to Independence Act of 2001 - Authorizes bilateral and multilateral assistance and certain other assistance to support economic and democratic development in East Timor. Modifies, for a three year period, certain procedures for the provision of development assistance to major drug-transit and major illicit drug producing countries. Clean Water for the Americas Partnership Act of 2001 - Establishes the Clean Water for the Americas Partnership program. Authorizes the President to: (1) conduct a comprehensive assessment of the environmental problems in countries of the Organization of American States; and (2) establish Technology America Centers (TEAMs). Sets forth provisions with respect to: (1) international religious freedom and human rights; (2) improvement in building construction and practices in Latin American countries; (3) sanctions against persons or entities that transfer proscribed weapons to Palestinian entities in the West Bank or Gaza; and (4) global warming.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2001
Fugitive Apprehension Act of 2001 - Amends the Federal criminal code to authorize the Attorney General to subpoena witnesses for the purpose of the production of any records that the Attorney General finds, based on articulable facts, are relevant to discerning the whereabouts of a fugitive. Specifies that the attendance of witnesses and the production of records may be required from any place in any State or other place subject to U.S. jurisdiction, except that a witness shall not be required to appear more than 500 miles from the place where the witness was served. Sets forth provisions regarding service of process and contumacy or refusal to obey a subpoena. Directs the Attorney General to issue guidelines governing the issuance of administrative subpoenas. Authorizes the Attorney General to apply to a court for an order requiring the party to whom an administrative subpoena is directed to refrain from notifying any other party of the existence of the subpoena or court order. Directs the court to enter such order if it determines that there is reason to believe that notification of the existence of the subpoena will result in: (1) endangering life or physical safety: (2) flight from prosecution; (3) destruction of or tampering with evidence; (4) intimidation of potential witnesses; or (5) otherwise seriously jeopardizing an investigation or undue delay of a trial. Grants immunity from civil liability to persons who in good faith produce records or items requested in a subpoena.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2001
Recognizes the enduring contributions and heroic achievements of Shirley Anita Chisholm.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2001
Designates October 30, 2001, as National Weatherization Day. Encourages: (1) families to learn about the benefits of weatherizing their homes, including energy conservation, money savings, and safer homes for their children; and (2) community action and service agencies, Federal, State, and local government agencies, and private sector partners to work together to promote the positive aspects of weatherizing our Nation's housing stock.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2001
Medicaid Community-Based Attendant Services and Supports Act of 2001 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to mandate State Medicaid plan coverage of community-based attendant services and supports for described Medicaid-eligible individuals. Outlines provisions for: (1) an enhanced Federal medical assistance percentage for ongoing activities of early coverage States that enhance and promote the use of community-based attendant services and supports; and (2) increased Federal financial participation for certain expenditures incurred by the State for the provision of community-based attendant services and supports. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) award grants to eligible States which have established a Consumer Task Force to assist the State in its development of real choice systems change initiatives; and (2) conduct a demonstration project for the purpose of evaluating service coordination and cost-sharing approaches with respect to the provision of community-based services and supports to non-elderly dually eligible individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2001
Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2001 - Prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation by covered entities (including employment agencies, labor organizations, and training programs). Prohibits related retaliation and coercion. Declares this Act inapplicable to the provision of employee benefits for the benefit of an employee's domestic partner. Prohibits the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission from: (1) collecting statistics on sexual orientation from covered entities; and (2) compelling covered entities to collect such statistics. Prohibits: (1) quotas and preferential treatment; and (2) an order or consent decree for a violation of this Act that includes a quota or preferential treatment. Declares this Act inapplicable to: (1) religious organizations; (2) the relationship between the United States and members of the armed forces; or (3) laws creating special rights or preferences for veterans. Prohibits the imposition of affirmative action for a violation of this Act. Disallows State immunity. Makes the United States or a State liable for remedies to the same extent as under the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2001
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the week of November 11 through 17, 2001, should be designated as National Veterans Awareness Week for the purpose of emphasizing education efforts directed at elementary and secondary school students concerning the contributions and sacrifices of veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2001
Congratulates the people of Ukraine on their tenth anniversary of independence. Calls for: (1) the President, Prime Minister, and Parliament of Ukraine to continue to enact political reforms necessary to ensure that the Government of Ukraine transparently represent the interests of the Ukrainian people; (2) the Government and President of Ukraine to promote fundamental democratic principles of freedom of speech, assembly, and the press and to actively pursue investigations into violence committed against journalists; (3) the Government to uphold international standards and procedures of free and fair elections in preparation for its upcoming parliamentary elections in March 2002, to continue to accelerate its efforts to transform its economy to one founded on free market principles, and to follow a westward-leaning foreign policy whose priority is the integration of Ukraine into Euro-Atlantic structures; and (4) the President of the United States to continue to consider the interests and security of Ukraine in reviewing or revising any European military and security arrangements, understandings, or treaties and to continue to support and encourage Ukraine's role in NATO's Partnership for Peace program and the deepening of Ukraine's relationship with NATO.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2001
Breast Cancer Research Stamp Act of 2001 - Amends Federal postal law to provide that any limitation in the Semipostal Authorization Act relating to whether more than one semipostal (a postage stamp issued by the U.S. Postal Service, at a premium, in order to help provide funding for a national public interest) may be offered for sale at the same time, shall not apply to the breast cancer research special stamps issued by the U.S. Postal Service. Extends the Service's authority to issue such stamps through July 29, 2008. Revises the differential amount of the special rate of postage for the breast cancer research stamp to not less than 15 percent of the regular first-class rate (currently, not to exceed 25 percent of first-class). Requires the special rate to be evenly divisible by five.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2001
Designates September 24, 2001, as Family Day - A Day To Eat Dinner With Your Children. Recognizes that eating dinner as a family is an important step toward raising drug-free children.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2001
POW/MIA Memorial Flag Act of 2001 - Includes the World War II Memorial among the locations where the National League of Families POW/MIA flag is required to be displayed. Requires such flag to be displayed at such Memorial, as well as the Korean War Veterans Memorial and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, on any day on which the United States flag is displayed.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2001
Trade Adjustment Assistance for Workers, Farmers, Communities, and Firms Act of 2001 - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to revise requirements with respect to: (1) agreements between the United States and States for the provision of certain services for workers adversely affected by import competition; (2) certification of eligibility of a group of adversely affected workers for trade adjustment assistance; (3) payment of, and certain limitations on, trade adjustment allowances to such workers; (4) training programs for such workers; and (5) the maximum amount of job search and relocation allowances payable to an adversely affected worker. Provides for the eligibility certification of adversely affected secondary workers for trade adjustment assistance. Defines "adversely affected secondary worker" as a worker who is employed at a downstream producer (a firm that performs additional, value-added production processes to articles produced by another firm) or a supplier (a firm that produces component parts for the production process for articles). Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a 50 percent refundable tax credit for COBRA continuation coverage premiums. Reauthorizes the trade adjustment assistance program for firms adversely affected by import competition. Revises program eligibility requirements. Reestablishes trade adjustment assistance for communities adversely affected by import competition. Authorizes: (1) such communities, because of import competition, to develop strategic plans for economic adjustment and diversification; and (2) the award of grants to carry out economic development projects under such plans. Authorizes a group of agricultural commodity producers to petition the Secretary of Agriculture for a certification of eligibility to apply for trade adjustment assistance. Sets forth certain eligibility requirements for the payment of such assistance to agricultural commodity producers adversely affected by import competition.