United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2003
Jobs and Growth Tax Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to accelerate the following previously enacted tax reductions: (1) the 10-percent individual income tax rate bracket expansion: (2) the reduction in individual income tax rates; (3) the 15-percent individual income tax rate bracket expansion for married taxpayers filing joint returns; (4) the increase in the standard deduction for married taxpayers filing joint returns; and (5) the increase in the child tax credit. Triples the small business expensing limit. Excludes from gross income the excludable portion of dividends. Sets forth definitions and rules concerning such exclusion.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2003
Calls upon the Organization of American States Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to: (1) continue its reporting on the human rights situation in the Republic of Cuba; and (2) request a visit to Cuba to review and report to the international community on the human rights situation there. Calls upon the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and his newly appointed personal representative to vigorously pursue the implementation of the 2002 Resolution regarding the situation of human rights in Cuba. Calls upon the European Union to: (1) build upon its recognition of Cuban dissidents; and (2) request to visit Cuba to review the human rights situation there and report on it to the international community. Calls upon human rights organizations throughout the world to issue statements of solidarity with the Cuban human rights activists, political dissidents, prisoners of conscience, independent journalists, and other Cubans seeking to secure their internationally recognized human rights and fundamental freedoms.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2003
Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit any physician or other individual from knowingly performing a partial-birth abortion, except when necessary to save the life of a mother whose life is endangered by a physical disorder, illness, or injury. Defines a "partial-birth abortion" as an abortion in which the person performing the abortion: (1) deliberately and intentionally vaginally delivers a living fetus until, in the case of a head-first presentation, the entire fetal head is outside the mother's body, or, in the case of a breech presentation, any part of the fetal trunk past the navel is outside the mother's body; and (2) performs the overt act, other than completion of delivery, that kills the partially delivered living fetus. Authorizes the father, if married to the mother at the time of the abortion, and the maternal grandparents of the fetus, if the mother is under 18 years of age, to obtain specified relief in a civil action, unless the pregnancy resulted from the plaintiff's criminal conduct or the plaintiff consented to the abortion. Authorizes a defendant accused of an offense under this Act to seek a hearing before the State Medical Board on whether the physician's conduct was necessary to save the life of the mother. Prohibits the prosecution of a woman upon whom a partial-birth abortion is performed for conspiracy to violate this Act or under provisions regarding punishment as a principal or an accessory or for concealment of a felony.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2003
Death Tax Fairness Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue and the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 to permanently repeal the estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes, effective January 1, 2005.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2003
Compassion and Personal Responsibility Act - Amends title IV part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF)) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) extend through FY 2008 family assistance grants to eligible States; (2) replace the current bonuses to reward States for a decrease in illegitimacy ratio with competitive Healthy Marriage Promotion grants; (3) replace bonuses to reward high performance States with bonuses to States to reward employment achievement; (4) repeal authority for Federal loans to State welfare programs; and (5) revise work participation requirements for State grants. Promotion and Support of Responsible Fatherhood and Healthy Marriage Act of 2003 - Amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to authorize Federal grants to public and nonprofit community entities (including religious organizations and Indian tribal organizations) for projects and activities designed to test the effectiveness of various approaches to promoting responsible parenting through a fatherhood program. Caring for Children Act of 2003 - Amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to extend the authorization of appropriations through FY 2008 and to revise requirements for State programs for child care services. Amends SSA title IV part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) to revise child support collection requirements to: (1) prescribe guidelines for Federal matching funds for limited pass through of child support payments to families receiving TANF; (2) decrease the amount of child support arrearage that will trigger passport denial; (3) provide for use of the tax refund intercept program to collect past-due child support on behalf of children who are not minors; and (4) limit garnishment of compensation paid to veterans for Service-connected disabilities in order to enforce child support obligations. Eliminates the limitation placed upon the number of: (1) States that may be granted waivers to conduct demonstration projects on the same topic; and (2) waivers that may be granted to a single State for demonstration projects. Amends SSA title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) to require the Commissioner of Social Security to review State agency blindness and disability determinations before any action is taken to implement them in order to identify those most likely to be incorrect. Grants the States authority to require participation in an individual rehabilitation plan or risk being deemed ineligible for supplemental security income. Prescribes requirements for State demonstration projects to coordinate multiple public assistance and workforce development programs for working individuals and families. Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a State food assistance block grant demonstration project. Amends SSA title V (Maternal and Child Health Services) and title XIX (Medicaid) to extend: (1) the duration of appropriations for an abstinence education program; and (2) the Medicaid transitional medical assistance program. Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to declare that nothing prevents a State from operating separate eligibility verification systems or imposing work requirements as conditions of participation in the Food Stamp Program.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Payroll Tax Deduction Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual a deduction in arriving at adjusted gross income for the old-age, survivors, and disability insurance (OASDI) taxes paid by the individual as an employee during the taxable year. Includes in such deduction: (1) the portion of the tier 1 railroad retirement tax paid equivalent to OASDI taxes; as well as (2) amounts equivalent to such taxes imposed with respect to remuneration covered by a voluntary agreement under the Social Security Act for coverage of State and local government employees, or a specified kind of agreement entered into by American employers with respect to foreign affiliates. Allows a self-employed individual to deduct, in arriving at adjusted gross income, all OASDI taxes paid and half the hospital insurance taxes paid.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Calls on executive branch officials and Members of Congress to raise the issue of anti-Semitism in their bilateral contacts with other countries and at multilateral fora, including meetings of the Permanent Council of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the July 2003 Twelfth Annual Session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. Calls on participating OSCE States to: (1) condemn anti-Semitism, racial and ethnic hatred, xenophobia, and discrimination, as well as persecution on religious grounds whenever it occurs; (2) ensure effective local and national law enforcement to prevent and counter criminal acts stemming from anti-Semitism, xenophobia, or racial or ethnic hatred, including maintaining mechanisms for the thorough investigation and prosecution of such acts; (3) promote the creation of educational efforts throughout the region to counter anti-Semitic stereotypes and attitudes among younger people, increase Holocaust awareness programs, and help identify the necessary resources to accomplish this goal; (4) play a leading role in combating anti-Semitism and ensure that the resolution adopted at the 2002 meeting of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in Berlin is followed up by a series of concrete actions at the national level; and (5) organize a separately designated human dimension event on anti-Semitism as early as possible in 2003, consistent with the Porto Ministerial Declaration adopted by the OSCE at the Tenth Meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council in December 2002.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2003
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Commemorative Coin Act of 2003 - Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue $1 silver coins emblematic of the human rights legacy and leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Requires that: (1) all sales of such coins include a surcharge of $10 per coin; and (2) all surcharges from coin sales be promptly paid by the Secretary to the Library of Congress for purchasing and maintaining materials associated with the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2003
Government Pension Offset Reform Act - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to modify the formula for determining the amount of reduced monthly OASDI benefits payable to a spouse, surviving spouse, or parent receiving monthly payments from a Federal or State pension plan. Declares that such benefit reductions shall be equal to the amount by which two-thirds of the total amount of the combined monthly benefit (before reduction) and monthly pension exceeds $1,200, adjusted for inflation.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2003
Amends the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act to require the head of each executive agency, in the procurement of any product authorized to be offered for sale by Federal Prison Industries (FPI), to: (1) use competitive procedures for the procurement of such product; or (2) make an individual purchase under a multiple award contract in accordance with competition requirements applicable to such purchases. Requires each agency head, in conducting such a procurement, to: (1) notify FPI of the procurement at the same time that other offerors are notified; and (2) consider a timely offer from FPI in the same manner as other offers. Outlines exceptions to the competitive procedures requirement, including when: (1) the Attorney General determines that the FPI cannot reasonably expect fair consideration in such an award; and (2) the product is available only from FPI. Prohibits a contractor from being required to use FPI as a subcontractor or supplier of products or services under an agency contract. Provides for the protection of classified and sensitive information under contracts between an executive agency and the FPI. Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit the sale of any services furnished wholly or in part by convicts or prisoners except those on parole, release, or probation or in any penal or reform institution.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 2003
Elder Justice Act - Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new title XXII (Elder Justice) to establish: (1) within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) an Office of Elder Justice; (2) within HHS an Intra-Agency Elder Justice Steering Committee to coordinate HHS elder justice programs and policy; (3) the Elder Justice Coordinating Council to make recommendations for the coordination of activities to HHS, the Department of Justice, and other relevant Federal, State, local, and private agencies and entities; and (4) the Advisory Board on Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation. Outlines provisions with respect to uniform collection, maintenance, and dissemination of national data relating to elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Authorizes the HHS Secretary to award various grants, including grants for: (1) prevention of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation; (2) five Centers of Excellence nationwide that shall specialize in research, clinical practice, and training relating to elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation; (3) six diverse communities to examine various types of elder shelters and to test various models for establishing safe havens; (4) nonprofit organizations and faith-based organizations to encourage such organizations to establish or continue volunteer programs that focus on the issues of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, or that provide related services; and (5) various multidisciplinary elder justice activities. Provides for: (1) reporting to law enforcement of crimes occurring in Federally-funded long-term care facilities; (2) revising the quality of long-term care; and (3) increasing consumer information about long-term care. Amends: (1) SSA titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) to establish programs to prevent abuse of skilled nursing facility and nursing facility residents; (2) the Public Health Service Act to increase the number of health care professionals with geriatric training; (3) the Older Americans Act of 1965 with respect to the long-term care ombudsman program; (4) part A (General Provisions) of SSA title XI to establish in HHS the Office of Adult Protective Services; and (5) SSA titles XVIII and XIX to assure safety of residents when nursing facilities close. Establishes in the Department of Justice an Office of Elder Justice. Amends the: (1) Federal criminal code to provide for a cause of action for elder abuse and neglect; and (2) Internal Revenue Code to provide for a long-term care facility worker employment tax credit.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2003
Declares that the Space Shuttle Columbia tragedy shall not dissuade or discourage this Nation from venturing ever farther into space. Restates the commitment to exploring the planets and celestial bodies of our solar system and beyond. Expresses condolences to the families of the seven astronauts and to friends and allies in Israel over the loss of Colonel Ilan Ramon, the first Israeli in space.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2003
Authorizes the President to present a gold medal in recognition of Jackie Robinson's contributions to the Nation to his family. Calls for designation of a national day recognizing Robinson's accomplishments.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2003
Class Action Fairness Act of 2003 - Establishes a consumer class action bill of rights, including provision for: (1) judicial review and approval of noncash settlements; (2) protection against loss by class members because of payments to class counsel; (3) a prohibition against court approval of a proposed settlement providing for greater payments to class members because they are located in closer geographic proximity to the court; (4) a prohibition against court approval of a proposed settlement providing for payment of a greater share of the award to a class representative serving on behalf of a class; (5) standardized settlement notification information; and (6) specific requirements regarding proposed settlement notifications to Federal and State officials. Grants the district courts original jurisdiction of any civil action in which the matter in controversy exceeds $2 million, exclusive of interest and costs, and is a class action in which any member of a class of plaintiffs is: (1) a citizen of a State different from any defendant; (2) a foreign state or a citizen or subject of a foreign state and any defendant is a citizen of a State; or (3) a citizen of a State and any defendant is a foreign state or a citizen or subject of a foreign state. Lists exceptions, such as where a class action brought by shareholders solely involves a claim concerning a covered security or relating to the internal governance of a corporation. Sets forth procedures for removal of interstate class actions to U.S. district court and for review of orders remanding class actions to State courts. Directs the Judicial Conference of the United States to report to the Senate and House Judiciary Committees on class action settlements.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2003
Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal criminal code to authorize qualified law enforcement officers (including certain qualified retired officers) carrying the photographic identification issued by their governmental agency, notwithstanding State or local laws, to carry a concealed firearm. Provides that such authorization shall not supersede State laws that: (1) permit private entities to prohibit the possession of concealed firearms on their property; or (2) prohibit the possession of firearms on State or local government property. Excludes from the definition of "firearm" any machine gun, firearm silencer, or destructive device.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2003
Charity Aid, Recovery, and Empowerment Act of 2003 or the CARE Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to charitable giving, charitable organizations, and social services to, among other things: (1) allow a deduction for a portion of charitable contributions to individuals who do not itemize; (2) allow tax-free distributions from individual retirement accounts for charitable purposes; (3) allow for the exclusion of 25 percent of gain on sales or exchanges of land or water interests to eligible entities for conservation purposes; (4) exclude mileage reimbursements to charitable volunteers from gross income; (5) increase oversight of tax-exempt organizations; (6) suspend the tax-exempt status of terrorist organizations; (7) modify the excise tax on unrelated business taxable income of charitable remainder trusts; (8) repeal the grassroots expenditure limit for charitable organizations; (9) modify the definition of convention or association of churches to state that no such grouping shall fail to qualify merely because individuals are members or because individuals have voting rights in such organization; (10) count certain payments made by charitable organizations to victims in the war against terrorism as related to the purpose or function constituting the basis for such organizations' exemptions; (11) restore funds for the Social Services Block Grant; (12) restore authority to transfer up to ten percent of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families funds to the Social Services Block Grant. Savings for Working Families Act of 2003 - States as a purpose of this Act to provide for the establishment of individual development account programs that will provide individuals and families with limited means an opportunity to accumulate assets and to enter the financial mainstream. Provides procedures for opening and maintaining such an account and qualifying for matching funds. Authorizes appropriations for the: (1) Savings for Working Families Act of 2003; and (2) administration of exempt organizations by the Internal Revenue Service. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to and enter into cooperative agreements to support nonprofit community-based organizations. Authorizes appropriations. Prohibits requiring a nongovernmental social service organization to: (1) remove religious art, icons, or scripture; (2) alter its charter; or (3) alter religious qualifications for board membership. Amends the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act to provide for maternity group homes and evaluation of such homes.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2003
Municipal Debt Refinancing Act- Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a second or third advance refunding of bonds if the original bond was issued to finance governmental facilities used for essential government functions.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2003
Human Cloning Prohibition Act of 2003 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit any person or entity, in or affecting interstate commerce, from knowingly: (1) performing or attempting to perform human cloning; (2) participating in such an attempt; (3) shipping or receiving an embryo produced by human cloning or any product derived from such an embryo; or (4) importing such an embryo. Sets forth criminal and civil penalties. Provides that nothing in this Act restricts areas of scientific research not specifically prohibited above, including research in the use of nuclear transfer or other cloning techniques to produce molecules, DNA, cells other than human embryos, tissues, organs, plants, or animals other than humans. Directs the General Accounting Office to assess the need for amendment of such prohibition, including through: (1) a discussion of new developments, the need for somatic cell transfer to produce medical advances, current public attitudes and prevailing ethical views concerning its use, and potential legal implications of somatic cell transfer research; and (2) a review of any technological developments that may require technical changes to such prohibition.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2003
Recognizes and expresses support for the efforts of the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation, a nonprofit organization incorporated in Georgia, to educate the American public regarding the military heritage of the United States and the story of U.S. Army Aviation's soldiers and machines through the preservation of authentic aircraft and the presentation of living history demonstrations.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2003
Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 with respect to adjustments to the base price used to establish "export price" (at which the subject merchandise is first sold (or agreed to be sold) before the date of its importation by the merchandise producer or exporter outside the United States to an unaffiliated purchaser in the United States (or an unaffiliated purchaser for exportation to the United States)) and "constructed export price" (at which the subject merchandise is first sold (or agreed to be sold) in the United States before or after the date of its importation by or for the account of the merchandise producer or exporter or by a seller affiliated with the producer or exporter, to a purchaser not affiliated with the producer or exporter). Revises the adjustment formula to reduce the base price by an amount attributable to any countervailing duties imposed under such Act which are incident to bringing the merchandise from the original place of shipment in the exporting country to the place of delivery in the United States. Applies this Act to goods from Canada and Mexico.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2003
Loan Forgiveness for Certified Teachers Act of 2003 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to increase from $5,000 to $10,000 the maximum amount of student loan cancellation for certified or licensed teachers who teach for five years at low-income elementary or secondary schools. Establishes a HEA grants program for promoting teacher certification and licensing. Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make such grants to institutions of higher education for programs, projects, and activities to encourage professionals and other interested persons to become certified or licensed teachers. Includes among authorized activities developing curricula and support programs and recruitment strategies.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2003
Guaranteeing a United and Resolute Defense Act of 2003 or GUARD Act of 2003 - Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to provide funds to the governor of a State who submits, and receives approval of, a plan for the use of personnel and equipment of the State's National Guard in homeland security activities. Provides authorizes uses of such funding, including: (1) pay, allowances, and clothing; (2) equipment and facilities operation and maintenance; and (3) procurement of related services.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2003
Reserve Component Tax Assistance Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow as a business or trade deduction the expenses of a member of the reserve component of the U.S. armed forces in connection with such service. Makes such deduction available to itemizers and non-itemizers. Establishes related reserve component business-related employment and self-employment credits.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 2003
Medicare Ambulance Payment Reform Act of 2003 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) with respect to payment for ambulance services to revise requirements for the establishment of a fee schedule. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a system for the coding of claims for ambulance services, including a code set specifying the medical condition of the individual transported by an ambulance and the appropriate level of transportation service.
United States · United States Congress · 13 January 2003
Unborn Victims of Violence Act of 2003 - Provides that: (1) any person who engages in conduct that violates specified provisions of the Federal criminal code, the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, or the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, or specified articles of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (conduct constituting certain Federal violent crimes), and thereby causes the death of, or bodily injury to, a child who is in utero, shall be guilty of a separate offense (but prohibits imposition of the death penalty for such offense); and (2) the punishment for that separate offense shall be the same as that provided under Federal law for that conduct had that injury or death occurred to the unborn child's mother. Directs that if the person engaging in the conduct thereby intentionally kills or attempts to kill the unborn child, that person shall be punished as provided under the Federal criminal code for intentionally killing or attempting to kill a human being. Bars prosecution under this Act: (1) for conduct relating to an abortion for which the consent of the pregnant woman has been obtained or for which such consent is implied by law in a medical emergency; (2) for conduct relating to any medical treatment of the pregnant woman or her unborn child; or (3) of any woman with respect to her unborn child.
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2003
Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) to extend the meaning of "foreign power" to any person, other than a U.S. person, engaged in international terrorism or activities in preparation for them, for purposes of securing FISA warrants authorizing the electronic surveillance of communications between and among foreign powers.
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2003
Rural Communities Hospice Care Access Improvement Act of 2003 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to create an exception to the Medicare 20 percent inpatient care limitation for certain rural hospice programs with 20 beds or fewer.
United States · United States Congress · 7 January 2003
Community Choice in Real Estate Act of 2003 - Amends the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, and the Revised Statutes of the United States, to prohibit the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Secretary of the Treasury, respectively, from determining that real estate brokerage activity or real estate management activity is financial in nature, is incidental to any financial activity, or is complementary to a financial activity. (In effect, prohibits financial holding companies and national banks from engaging, directly or indirectly, in real estate brokerage or real estate management activities.) Exempts from such prohibition activities of a bank holding company (or any affiliate) that directly relate to managing any real property owned by national banks or their affiliates.
United States · United States Congress · 7 January 2003
Constitutional Amendment - Grants victims of violent crime the rights: (1) to reasonable and timely notice of any public proceeding involving the crime and of any release or escape of the accused; (2) to not be excluded from such public proceeding and reasonably to be heard at public release, plea, sentencing, reprieve, and pardon proceedings; and (3) to adjudicative decisions that consider the victim's safety, interest in avoiding unreasonable delay, and just and timely claims to restitution from the offender. Prohibits any restriction of such rights except as dictated by a substantial interest in public safety or the administration of criminal justice, or by compelling necessity.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 2002
Hunting Heritage Protection Act - Requires that Federal public lands be open to access and use for recreational hunting except: (1) as limited by the Federal agency with responsibility for such lands for national security or public safety reasons, or for reasons authorized in applicable Federal statutes as reasons for closure; and (2) as such hunting is limited by the State in which such lands are located. Directs the head of each Federal agency with authority to manage a natural resource or public lands on which such a resource depends to exercise that authority in a manner so as to support, promote, and enhance recreational hunting opportunities. Declares that Federal land management decisions and actions should result in no net loss of land area available for hunting opportunities on Federal public lands. Requires the heads of Federal agencies with authority to manage Federal public lands on which recreational hunting occurs to report annually to specified congressional committees on areas administered that have been closed during the previous year to recreational hunting and reasons for such closures and on areas that were open to such hunting to compensate for closed areas. Prohibits a withdrawal, change of classification, or change of management status, that effectively closes 5,000 or more acres of Federal public land for use for recreational hunting, from occurring unless the head of the Federal agency with authority to manage the land has submitted written notice of the action to both Houses of Congress. Grants States the right to file civil actions in district courts in cases where Federal agencies fail to comply with State authority to manage or regulate fish and wildlife.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 2002
Authorization for the Use of Military Force Against Iraq - Expresses support for the President's efforts to: (1) strictly enforce through the United Nations Security Council all relevant Security Council resolutions applicable to Iraq; and (2) obtain prompt and decisive action by the Security Council to ensure that Iraq abandons its strategy of delay, evasion, and noncompliance and promptly and strictly complies with all relevant Security Council resolutions. Authorizes the President to use the U.S. armed forces to: (1) defend U.S. national security against the continuing threat posed by Iraq; and (2) enforce all relevant Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq. Directs the President, prior to or as soon as possible (but no later than 48 hours) after exercising such authority, to make available to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate his determination that: (1) reliance on further diplomatic or peaceful means alone will not achieve the above purposes; and (2) acting pursuant to this resolution is consistent with the United States and other countries continuing to take necessary actions against international terrorists and terrorist organizations, including those who planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Declares that this section is intended to constitute specific statutory authorization for use of the armed forces, consistent with requirements of the War Powers Resolution. Requires the President to report to Congress at least every 60 days on matters relevant to this resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2002
Rural Community Revitalization and Transition Act - Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to make tobacco transition payments to qualifying quota owners and active growers of covered tobacco (Flue-cured tobacco, Burley tobacco, Fire-cured tobacco, dark-air cured tobacco, and Virginia sun-cured tobacco). Establishes in the Treasury a tobacco farmer trust fund to carry out such program. Expresses the sense of Congress that such payments should be afforded capital gains treatment. Sets forth payment determination provisions for tobacco investment protection payments, including: (1) historic quota production for Flue-cured and Burley tobacco, and for Fire-cured, dark air-cured, and Virginia sun-cured tobacco; (2) counter-cyclical payments for Flue-cured tobacco, and for Burley, dark-air cured, Virginia sun-cured, and Fire-cured tobacco; and (3) direct payments for Flue-cured tobacco, and Burley and other tobacco. Authorizes the establishment of the Center for Agricultural Innovation which shall be located at a land-grant college or university in a traditional quota State, and shall: (1) coordinate work among land-grant colleges and universities in the Southeast to facilitate development, evaluation, and implementation of new agricultural technologies and enterprises for rural communities; and (2) give priority to developing technologies and enterprises in tobacco-dependent communities. Establishes in the Department of Agriculture the Tobacco Advisory Board. Terminates marketing quotas for certain types of tobacco. Repeals provisions regarding: (1) Burley tobacco acreage allotment; (2) mandatory sale of Burley and Flue-cured tobacco acreage allotments and marketing quotas; (3) sale or lease of acreage allotments; and (4) farm poundage quotas for certain types of tobacco. Revises provisions regarding: (1) national marketing quota; (2) apportionment of national marketing quota; (3) lease and transfer of acreage allotments; and (4) acreage-poundage quotas.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 2002
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for the loss of nationality by a native-born or naturalized citizen who voluntarily: (1) joins or acts at the behest of a foreign terrorist organization in terrorist activities against the United States; or (2) engages in terrorist activity.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2002
Declares the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress should complete action in the 107th Congress on the Pension Security Act of 2002 and present it to the President for his signature before adjournment.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2002
Declares the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress should complete action in the 107th Congress on the Community Solutions Act of 2001 and present it to the President for his signature before adjournment.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2002
Declares the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress should complete action on the Permanent Death Tax Repeal Act of 2002, and present it to the President before adjournment.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2002
Declares the sense of the House of Representatives that the 107th Congress should complete action on and present to the President, before September 30, 2002, legislation extending and strengthening the 1996 welfare reforms.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2002
Veterans Health Care Funding Guarantee Act of 2002 - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) make available to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for programs, functions, and activities of the Veterans Health Administration for FY 2004 120 percent of the amount obligated during FY 2002; and (2) adjust the amount provided after FY 2004 based on the number of enrolled veterans and the number of others eligible for and provided care and the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index. Repeals, as of October 1, 2003, requirements for the prior congressional approval of funding for Department major medical facilities projects or leases.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2002
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that neither the U.S. Constitution nor any State constitution shall be construed to protect child pornography (defined as visual depictions by any technological means of minor persons, whether actual or virtual, engaged in explicit sexual activity).
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2002
Textile and Apparel Recognition Act - Calls upon the President to: (1) ensure enforcement of U.S. trade laws with respect to trade practices resulting in harm to the U.S. textile and apparel industry; (2) ensure enforcement of international trade agreements with respect to the U.S. textile and apparel industry, including existing safeguard remedies available under the World Trade Organization and the North American Free Trade Agreement; (3) ensure enforcement of existing quota and tariff regulations to prevent further illegal circumvention of the U.S. textile import restraint program; (4) deny requests from trading partners of the United States for unilateral liberalization by the United States of its textile and apparel market other than that provided for under existing international trade agreements; and (5) implement strategies to open foreign markets to provide equitable access for goods exported by the U.S. textile and apparel industry. Directs the President when conducting negotiations to enter into trade agreements with other countries to take into account potential foreign currency devaluations so that such countries do not receive the benefit of reduced tariffs while at the same time making their exports more cost-competitive on the international market through such currency devaluations. Requires the President to report annually to Congress on the ability of the U.S. textile manufacturing sector to compete with the textile industry in other countries when foreign currencies are devalued.
![Official portrait of Sen. Chambliss, Saxby [R-GA]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/c000286_200.jpg)