United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1985
Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to eliminate the second concurrent resolution on the budget and thus provide for the annual adoption of a single concurrent resolution on the budget (budget resolution). Sets forth maximum Federal budget deficit amounts for each of fiscal years 1986 through 1990 providing for the incremental reduction of the deficit to zero by 1990. Prohibits either House of Congress from considering or adopting a budget resolution or a revision thereof providing for budget outlays exceeding revenues by more than the prescribed maximum deficit amount. Requires the Congress to complete action on any reconciliation bill or resolution to: (1) an original budget resolution by June 15 of each year; or (2) a revised budget resolution within 30 days after the revision is adopted. Provides that no amendment that would increase specific budget outlays or reduce specific revenues set forth in a budget resolution or reconciliation bill as reported shall be in order in the House or the Senate, unless such amendment provides for offsetting adjustments in other outlays and revenues to ensure that total outlays are not increased and total revenues are not reduced. Requires each Senate and House committee to report its subdivisions of allocated budget outlays and new budget authority within ten legislative days after the budget resolution is agreed to. Makes it out of order for the House or the Senate, after the Congress has completed action on the budget resolution for a fiscal year, to consider legislation that, if enacted, would: (1) provide for or require budget outlays or new budget authority in excess of the appropriate committee allocation reported in connection with such resolution, unless the legislation is favorably reported by the Committee on Appropriations of the House involved with a certification that the appropriate committee will take actions necessary to assure that enactment of such legislation will not result in a deficit exceeding the maximum deficit amount applicable; or (2) provide for new budget authority or spending authority or reduce revenues so that the resulting deficit would exceed the maximum deficit amount applicable. Requires the conference report on any legislation providing new budget authority or new or increased tax expenditures to disclose the information required to be disclosed in committee reports on such legislation. Requires the Federal budget transmitted to the Congress by the President each year, and revisions thereof, to set forth levels of outlays and revenues resulting in a deficit not in excess of the applicable maximum deficit amount. Permits the President to transmit alternative budgets satisfying such requirement. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and the Director of the Congressional Budget Office: (1) to estimate the levels of total revenues and budget levels for each fiscal year; (2) to estimate the rate of real economic growth during that year; (3) to determine whether the deficit for such year will exceed the applicable maximum deficit amount and whether such excess is statistically significant; and (4) if either Director determines that the maximum deficit amount will be exceeded, to submit a report to the President and the Congress specifying the amount of such excess, whether it is statistically significant, the estimated rate of real economic growth for that year, and the percentages by which automatic spending increases and relatively controllable expenditures shall be reduced during such year in order to eliminate such excess. Requires the President, upon receiving such a report, to: (1) issue an order that eliminates one-half of such excess by suspending or uniformly reducing (not below zero) automatic spending increases under Federal law for such year and the other half by sequestering such amounts of budget authority as are necessary to reduce each relatively controllable expenditure by a uniform percentage; and (2) send a message to both Houses of Congress identifying the total amount and percentage by which automatic spending increases are to be reduced, the total amount of budget authority to be sequestered, the amount of budget authority to be sequestered for each relatively controllable expenditure, and the account, department, establishment, project, or function affected by the cut in budget authority. (Authorizes the President to issue such an order if the reported excess is not statistically significant.) Directs the President to issue such order: (1) within 14 days after receiving such report if the estimate for real economic growth for the fiscal year is zero or greater; or (2) within 30 days if the estimate for real economic growth is less than zero. Authorizes the President, during such 30-day period, to submit to the Congress a joint resolution to: (1) reduce the deficit to an amount not exceeding the applicable maximum deficit amount; or (2) suspend the requirements of this Act for such fiscal year. Permits the President's message to the Congress to include alternative ways to reduce the deficit to an amount not exceeding the maximum deficit amount. Permits the Committee on the Budget of the House or the Senate, within ten days after the President has issued such an order, to report a joint resolution superseding such order. Makes it out of order for the House or the Senate to consider or agree to any such resolution which, if enacted, would cause the fiscal year deficit to exceed the maximum deficit amount. Sets forth House and Senate procedures for consideration of such a resolution. Waives specified provisions of this Act in any fiscal year for which a declaration of war has been enacted. Makes this Act applicable through FY 1990.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) Poland should comply with basic human rights agreements to which it is a signatory, such as the Helsinki accords, and initiate a policy of national reconciliation; (2) the prosecution of those responsible for the death of Father Jerzy Popieluszko should be supported by Poland; (3) human rights monitoring committees in Poland should be supported; (4) the free flow of information on the activities of such committees can improve human rights policies in Poland and the continued improvement of human rights there would better relations between the United States and Poland; and (5) the President should convey Congress' concerns to Polish officials and to U.S. allies.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1985
Declares that the Congress supports the efforts of the democratic forces in Chile to achieve a peaceful return to democratic government. Expresses its view that the National Accord for the Transition to Full Democracy is an important step toward that goal. Calls upon the Government of Chile, the armed forces, and all the leaders of all sectors of Chilean society to demonstrate their commitment to a genuine transition through a process of dialogue, negotiation, and consensus.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1985
Deems a named individual to be a widow of a deceased U.S. Naval Reserve Commander who is entitled to annuity benefits based on the service of such officer.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1985
Amends the Federal criminal code to provide that any person convicted of espionage shall forfeit to the United States any money or other property involved in or obtained as a result of such espionage activities. Provides that where such money or property is unavailable for forfeiture, the person convicted of such crime must forfeit property up to the value of the property gained from the espionage activity. Permits the courts to order the forfeiture of proceeds received or to be received from a contract relating to the depiction of such offense in a movie, book, newspaper, magazine, radio or television production, or live entertainment or presentation of any kind. Authorizes the Attorney General to pay a reward not to exceed $100,000 for information leading to the arrest or conviction of persons committing espionage, or leading to the prevention, frustration, or mitigation of the effect of an act of espionage. Disqualifies an officer or employee of the United States or of any State or local government while performing official duties from receiving such a reward.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 1985
Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement Amendments of 1985 - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to declare that acts of importation into, or sale in, the United States of articles that infringe a valid U.S. patent, copyright, or trademark are unfair and have the effect of destroying or substantially injuring a U.S. industry or impairing the establishment of such industry. Permits any person to petition the International Trade Commission (ITC) for the issuance of an order to exclude such articles, during its investigation, from entry into the United States. Sets forth: (1) civil penalties for violations under this Act; and (2) procedures for the modification or rescission of an ITC order under this Act. Repeals a specified section of the Tariff Act of 1930 relating to the importation of products produced under a process covered by claims of an unexpired patent.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1985
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the tax treatment of loans with below market interest rates (i.e. the imputed interest rules) shall not apply to bonds issued by the State of Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1985
Improved Public Health Through Nutrition Monitoring Act of 1985 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to prepare the Comprehensive Health Promotion and Nutrition Monitoring Plan (comprehensive plan) to specify the manner in which the National Health Promotion and Nutrition Monitoring Program (coordinated program) will be implemented. Specifies the requirements of the comprehensive plan. Requires the Secretary to submit a draft of the comprehensive plan to the Congress and publish such plan, with a request for public comment, in the Federal Register within one year of enactment of this Act. Requires the Secretary to submit a final comprehensive plan to the President and the Congress within 60 days after the end of the period for public comment. Requires the Secretary to implement the comprehensive final plan. Grants specified congressional committees oversight responsibilities. Establishes a ten-year National Health Promotion and Nutrition Monitoring Program. States that such program shall include: (1) the assessment, collection, analysis, and reporting of information on health, dietary, and nutritional trends in the U.S.; (2) the assessment, analysis, and reporting of the effects on health status of food assistance programs; (3) sponsoring and conducting research; (4) maintaining, coordinating, implementing, and completing health, nutrition, and dietary surveys; (5) developing and maintaining health, nutrition, and dietary data bases; (6) coordinating Federal, State, local, and private activities; (7) providing scientific and technical assistance; and (8) providing grants to be carried out through the National Science Foundation and the Director of the Centers for Disease Control. Directs the Secretary to: (1) update and integrate into the coordinated program the Joint Implementation Plan for a Comprehensive National Nutrition Monitoring System; (2) provide for and coordinate Federal research; (3) enter into a contract for the interpretation of available data; (4) foster cost recovery management techniques; and (5) prepare annual reports. Authorizes the Secretary to appoint a Coordinator for Health Promotion and Nutrition Monitoring. Establishes the Interagency Health Promotion and Nutrition Monitoring Board to assist the Secretary. Establishes the Advisory Council on Health Promotion and Nutrition Monitoring to: (1) provide scientific and technical advice; (2) evaluate the quality and effectiveness of the implementation of the coordinated program; and (3) evaluate the coordinated program, the comprehensive plan, and the budget. Sets forth budget request procedures. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1985
Comprehensive Smokeless Tobacco and Health Education Act of 1985 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop educational programs and materials and public service announcements respecting the dangers to human health from the use of smokeless tobacco, and to make such programs, materials, and announcements available to States, local governments, and school systems. Requires the Secretary to report annually to the Congress on the activities undertaken in this regard. Requires specified warning labels on all smokeless tobacco products and advertisements. Declares that failure to comply with provisions of this Act shall be a misdemeanor. Grants district courts of the United States jurisdiction and injunctive power to prevent and restrain violations of this Act. Directs the Federal Trade Commission to promulgate regulations to implement this Act based on the findings and conclusions of the Advisory Committee on the Health Consequences of Using Smokeless Tobacco.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1985
Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to exclude the employees of States and local governments from the provisions of that Act relating to maximum hours. Revises the definition of "employee" under that Act to exclude any volunteer for a State, local, or interstate public agency, even if such volunteer is paid expenses or a nominal fee to perform the voluntary services.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1985
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit farmer-owned cooperatives (at the option of the cooperative) to compute the net earnings of the organization by offsetting losses incurred by one or more allocation units of the organization (whether functional, divisional, departmental, geographic, or otherwise) against income of one or more other of such allocation units to the extent that such income is derived from business conducted with or for patrons of the organization. Requires certain information be furnished patrons of the cooperative respecting the offsetting of income and losses among allocation units and the right to additional financial information.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1985
Declares increased productivity in Federal Government operations a national goal. Encourages the President to make the necessary recommendations to the Congress to achieve such goal. Directs the President to transmit to the Congress with the budget a report on management improvements in each agency which contribute to such goal.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1985
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the farmer-owned and farmer-controlled Farm Credit System should be maintained and assisted by the Government during this period of agricultural stress; and (2) the Farm Credit System leadership should work with the Governor of the Farm Credit Administration and the Secretary of Agriculture to provide the congressional Agriculture Committees with a report by September 10, 1985, on such System's ability to meet agricultural credit demands.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1985
Expresses the sense of the Senate that there must be a concerted effort on the part of Federal agencies with flood control mandates to cooperate with State and local governments to mitigate the consequences of the high water levels on the Great Lakes.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1985
States that the Congress: (1) reaffirms the Helsinki Final Act and the Madrid Concluding Document; (2) condemns Eastern Bloc violations of specified international human rights agreements; and (3) requests the President to direct the Department of State to convey U.S. concerns with regard to such violations to the Soviet Union and its allies. Calls upon the President to use every opportunity to stress the link between respect for human rights and the achievement of peace.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1985
National Agricultural Policy Commission Act of 1985 - Establishes a National Commission on Agricultural Policy to study the structure, procedures, and methods of formulating and administering U.S. agricultural policies and programs. Requires annual reports to the President and to the Congress. Authorizes appropriations. Terminates such Commission four years after the date of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1985
Amends the Equal Credit Opportunity Act to prohibit the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System from exempting from such Act any class of credit transactions that are primarily for personal, family, or household purposes. Permits the Board to exempt (for five years) a type or class of business or commercial transactions only after determining that application of such Act to such transactions would not contribute substantially to effecting the purposes of such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 1985
National Adoption Information Clearinghouse Act of 1985 - Amends title X (Population Research and Voluntary Family Planning Programs) of the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a National Adoption Information Clearinghouse to: (1) collect and synthesize data and information concerning all aspects of infant adoption and adoption of children with special needs; (2) compile, maintain, and revise directories of information; and (3) disseminate information regarding adoption.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1985
Expresses the Senate's concern about Doctor Yury Orlov and calls upon the Soviet Union to release him from exile and allow him and his wife to emigrate. Urges the President to instruct the Secretary of State to raise this issue with the Soviet Union privately and at specified forums.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1985
Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to exclude the employees of States and local governments from the provisions of that Act relating to maximum hours.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1985
Calls on the Soviet Union to: (1) release Anatoly Shcharansky, Yosef Begun, and other Prisoners of Conscience and allow them to leave the Soviet Union; (2) issue exit permits to long term "Refuseniks" including Ida Nudel and Vladimir Slepak; and (3) allow thousands of Jews who have requested such permits to leave.
![Official portrait of Sen. Boschwitz, Rudy [R-MN]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b000647_200.jpg)