United States · United States Congress · 16 December 2005
Honors the memory of, and identifies, 2398 members of the Armed Forces who died in service to the United States in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom as of December 12, 2005.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 2005
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable William Proxmire, a former member of the United States Senate. Declares that when the Senate adjourns on December 15, 2005, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of Senator Proxmire.
United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2005
American Center for Cures Act of 2005 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) an American Center for Cures to promote translational research to speed the development of effective therapies, diagnostics, and cures. Establishes a Cures Council to help advise and direct the Center's translational research efforts. Authorizes the Center's Director (the Director of Cures) to establish Federally Funded Research and Development Centers to serve as research sites. Establishes within the Center a Health Advanced Research Projects Agency to advance the development and deployment of critical health products. Authorizes the Agency to flexibly fund projects. Requires the Director of Cures to establish a series of Centralized Institutional Review Boards to serve as human subject safety and well being custodians for multi-institutional clinical trials that are funded by public dollars. Requires the Director of NIH to commission the Institute of Medicine to study the rules that protect patient safety and anonymity with respect to clinical research. Establishes an Office of Bioscientific Enterprise Development (OBED) and transfers to it the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs. Requires OBED to partner grantees with potential purchasers of products. Establishes an Office of Technology Transfer (OTT) and transfers to it appropriate NIH functions. Requires OTT to establish: (1) an Office of Rapid Access to Intervention Development to accelerate the process from laboratory to clinic; and (2) a program that cultivates industry interest in NIH-funded research. Establishes an Office of Intramural Risk Opportunity and Mapping to oversee the intramural research programs of NIH. Requires the Center for Biotechnology Information to develop new computational methods to aid in the processing of genomic data. Provides for the construction of a clinical study registry and results database.
United States · United States Congress · 12 December 2005
ATV Safety Act of 2005 - Makes it unlawful, until the effective date of any Consumer Product Safety Commission mandatory rule applicable to all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), for a manufacturer or distributor to distribute in commerce certain new assembled or unassembled ATVs unless they comply with certain ATV product safety standards. Deems a violation of this Act to be a failure to comply with a consumer product safety rule under the Consumer Product Safety Act, subject to all of the penalties and remedies of that Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 December 2005
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable Eugene J. McCarthy, a former member of the United States Senate. Declares that when the Senate adjourns on December 12, 2005, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of Senator McCarthy.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 2005
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the United States and other responsible governments send clear signals to the marketplace that the current structure of oversight and management of the Internet's domain name and addressing service works, and will continue to deliver tangible benefits to Internet users worldwide in the future; and (2) the authoritative root zone server should remain physically located in the United States and the Secretary of Commerce should maintain oversight of ICANN (the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) so that ICANN can continue to manage the day-to-day operation of the Internet's domain and addressing system, remain responsive to Internet stakeholders worldwide, and otherwise fulfill its core technical mission.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2005
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act of 2005 - Amends the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (the Act) to authorize appropriations for the national fishery management program through FY2012. Revises provisions under the Act with respect to: (1) regional fishery management councils; (2) fishery management plan requirements; and (3) environmental review of fishery management plans; and (4) collection and confidentiality of certain information submitted for development of fishery management plans. Establishes: (1) limited access privilege programs to harvest fish; (2) Western Pacific regional marine education and training programs; (3) a regional economic transition program for fishermen affected by a catastrophic fishery disaster; (4) a bycatch reduction engineering program to minimize bycatch mortality; (5) a regionally based registry program for recreational fishermen; (6) an information program generated by the Marine Recreational Fishery Statistics Survey; (7) a cooperative research and management program; and (8) a Fisheries Conservation and Management Fund. Amends the Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1982 to increase the civil penalties for violations of the Convention between the United States of America and Canada for the Preservation of the Halibut Fishery of the Northern Pacific Ocean and Bearing Sea and such Act. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to deny, revoke or suspend a permit issued to a vessel owner under marine resource law for such violations. Reauthorizes certain fisheries Acts through FY2010. Requires the Secretary to identify a nation's vessels that have engaged in illegal, unreported, or unregulated fishing (including relevant international fishery management organizations that have failed to implement effective measures to end such activities), or that have engaged in fishing practices beyond the exclusive economic zone that result in bycatch of a protected living marine resource, and to encourage them to take appropriate corrective actions or to enter into bilateral treaties to end such offending activities. Reauthorizes the the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act of 1975 through FY2012. Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Implementation Act - Directs the President to appoint U.S. Commissioners to the Commission for the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPFC Convention). Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations to carry out U.S. obligations under the WCPFC Convention with respect to the conservation and management of highly migratory fish stocks. Makes it unlawful for any person to violate such regulations. Authorizes appropriations. Pacific Whiting Act of 2005 - Directs the Secretary to appoint U.S. individuals to specified committees established by the Agreement between the Government of the United States and the Government of Canada on Pacific Hake/Whiting. Requires the Secretary to establish the U.S. catch level for Pacific whiting according to the standards of the Agreement. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 2005
Expresses the sense of the Senate that Veterans Day 2005 shall be commemorated with appropriate tributes to all veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, especially to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2005
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the United States and other responsible governments send clear signals to the marketplace that the current structure of oversight and management of the Internet's domain name and addressing service works, and will continue to deliver tangible benefits to Internet users worldwide in the future; and (2) the authoritative root zone server should remain physically located in the United States and the Secretary of Commerce should maintain oversight of ICANN (the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) so that ICANN can continue to manage the day-to-day operation of the Internet's domain and addressing system, remain responsive to Internet stakeholders worldwide, and otherwise fulfill its core technical mission.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 2005
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of Henry Giugni, former Sergeant-at-Arms of the United States Senate. Declares that when the Senate adjourns on November 3, 2005, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of Henry Giugni.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 2005
Declares that the Senate honors the life and accomplishments of Dr. Richard Errett Smalley, a recipient of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, and expresses its condolences on his passing.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2005
Cameron Gulbransen Kids and Cars Safety Act of 2005 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations for all passenger motor vehicles to require: (1) automatic reversal of direction by power windows and panels when they detect an obstruction, to prevent children from being trapped, injured, or killed; (2) a rearward visibility performance standard to prevent backing incidents; and (3) engagement of the vehicle service brake in all key positions while the key is out of the ignition before the engine is started or the transmission is engaged, to prevent accidents resulting from vehicles accidentally rolling away. Requires the Secretary to: (1) establish a database of injuries and deaths in nontraffic, noncrash events involving passenger motor vehicles; and (2) supplement a consumer information program on child safety or create a new program with information about hazards to children in nontraffic, noncrash incident situations.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 2005
Supports the goals and ideals of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Expresses the sense of the Senate that Congress should continue to raise awareness of domestic violence in the United States and its devastating impact on families.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 2005
Illegal Immigration Enforcement and Empowerment Act - Authorizes a state or unit of local government to investigate, identify, apprehend, arrest, detain, prosecute, and impose criminal or civil penalties upon any individual who violates a: (1) federal immigration law; or (2) state law that is based in part upon the violation of federal immigration law. Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish a pilot Volunteer Border Marshal Program (limited to state-licensed peace officers) to assist the Department of Homeland Security in securing U.S. borders.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2005
Timber Tax Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax deduction (available to taxpayers whether or not they itemize deductions) for up to 60% of gains from certain sales or exchanges of timber.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2005
Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should not be a signatory to any agreement or protocol with respect to the Doha Development Round of the World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations, or any other bilateral or multilateral trade negotiations, that adopts any proposal to lessen the effectiveness of domestic and international disciplines on unfair trade or safeguard provisions, including certain proposals, and would lessen in any manner U.S. ability to enforce rigorously its trade laws, including the antidumping, countervailing duty, and safeguard laws. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) U.S. trade laws and international rules appropriately serve the public interest by offsetting injurious unfair trade, and that further "balancing modifications" or other similar provisions are unnecessary and would add to the complexity and difficulty of achieving relief against injurious unfair trade practices; and (2) the United States should ensure that any new agreement relating to international disciplines on unfair trade or safeguard provisions fully rectifies and corrects decisions by WTO dispute settlement panels or the Appellate Body that have unjustifiably and negatively impacted, or threaten to negatively impact, U.S. law or practice, including a law or practice with respect to foreign dumping or subsidization.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 2005
Provides for the continued education of students affected by Hurricane Katrina. Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to transfer funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Relief Fund for Hurricane Katrina to the Department of Education, upon the Secretary of Education's request, to assist educational agencies serving such students in paying for costs of personnel, operations, and materials and equipment. Requires the Secretary of Education to: (1) determine an immediate need for such assistance before requesting such a funds transfer; and (2) obligate certain funds for an additional year as emergency funding to meet the students' educational needs. Shortens the period for certain advance notifications to Congress under the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2005, in particular the Department of Education Appropriations Act, 2005.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2005
Good Samaritan Liability Improvement and Volunteer Encouragement Act of 2005 (GIVE Act of 2005) - Exempts from liability for acts or omissions: (1) disaster relief volunteers; (2) employers or business partners of disaster relief volunteers; (3) hosts or enabling persons, entities, or organizations; and (4) governmental and intergovernmental entities for donations of disaster relief goods. Specifies limits to punitive and non-economic damages for willful, knowing, or reckless misconduct based on the actions of disaster relief volunteers and governmental or intergovernmental donors. Provides for: (1) judicial review of allegations; (2) supplemental disaster declarations by the President, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, or the Secretary of Homeland Security; and (3) state election for nonapplicability of a provision of this Act to certain civil actions in state court. Amends the Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 with respect to liability protection for actions of volunteers generally. Exempts persons from civil liability relating to any injury or death involving: (1) donations of equipment to nonprofit organizations; or (2) use of facilities, a motor vehicle or aircraft provided to nonprofit organizations. Provides for judicial review of allegations
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2005
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to create a program within the National Park Service to support and work in partnership with citizens, governmental and tribal organizations, educational institutions, and private nonprofit organizations in identifying, protecting, and acquiring historic confinement sites where Japanese Americans were detained during World War II. Directs the Secretary to make grants to States, local and tribal governments, other public entities, educational institutions, and private nonprofit organizations to assist in carrying out such actions.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2005
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President, in order to coordinate efficiently and monitor spending, avoid duplication, and eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse, shall appoint an individual to oversee all federal work and the obligation of all federally appropriated funds for the purpose of Hurricane Katrina recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2005
Directs the President to reimburse a state or local government in which an emergency shelter for Hurricane Katrina survivors is operating for expenses incurred (such as overtime wages paid to police officers to ensure the provision of adequate coverage to portions of the state or locality other than the emergency shelter), regardless of whether the expenses were incurred for goods or services provided at the shelter's location.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2005
Directs the President to reimburse a community for each purchase of supplies (such as food, personal hygiene products, linens, and clothing) equal to 100% of the amount expended for the purchase. Makes reimbursement available only for supplies purchased with taxpayer dollars which would otherwise be eligible for reimbursement if purchased by a Katrina Survivor. Prohibits reimbursement for any supplies purchased with funds from a charitable contribution.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2005
Hurricane Katrina Medicaid and SCHIP Relief Act of 2005 - Provides that, during the Hurricane Katrina disaster period, any affected state may provide medical assistance, under a state Medicaid plan under title XIX of the Social Security Act (SSA), without submitting a state plan amendment, to an adult Katrina Survivor, or to a child Katrina Survivor, under SSA title XXI (State Child Health Insurance Program) (SCHIP). Applies to the area of residence (or former residence) of a Katrina Survivor a federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) during the disaster period of 100% for Medicaid or SCHIP assistance provided, and costs directly attributable to all related administrative activities. Excludes the disaster relief period in computing the Medicare part B late enrollment penalty. Extends the initial enrollment period for prescription drug plans under Medicare part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) to at least May 15, 2007. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish premium and cost-sharing documentation rules for Katrina Survivors which take into account the loss and unavailability of documents due to Hurricane Katrina. Requires the Secretary to post on the Internet website for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services a list of declared disaster areas, including parishes and counties, resulting from Hurricane Katrina. Designates the provisions of this Act as emergency requirements exempt from certain budget constraints under H.C. Res. 95 (109th Congress).
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2005
Directs the President to reimburse an individual or entity that owns or operates a facility used as an emergency shelter for Hurricane Katrina survivors for 100% of the business revenue lost as a result of cancellation of revenue-raising events during the Hurricane Katrina disaster period as determined by the state involved.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2005
Authorizes the use of any funds made available to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for Hurricane Katrina relief to pay any education expense related to students affected by Hurricane Katrina, if the Secretary of Education determines such expense appropriate. Authorizes the Secretary to waive any requirement of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 for a state, local educational agency (LEA), school, teacher, or student affected by an influx of such students. Makes school placement requirements of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act inapplicable to such students. Authorizes LEAs or elementary or secondary schools to issue and require the use of identification cards or other identifying insignia for such students.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2005
National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program Reauthorization Act of 2005 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services to waive requirements for awarding breast and cervical cancer grants to states if certain conditions are met, including that the Secretary finds that granting such a waiver will not reduce the number of women in the state receiving examinations and screening for breast and cervical cancers nor the quality of such services. Provides that such waivers are for two-year periods. Requires the Secretary to review performance under the waiver and allows the Secretary to extend such waivers. Authorizes appropriations for such grants through FY2011.
United States · United States Congress · 7 September 2005
Acknowledges Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist's lifelong service to the United States. Commends his 33-year tenure on the U.S. Supreme Court and his many accomplishments as Chief Justice. Extends sympathy to his family and friends.
United States · United States Congress · 7 September 2005
Permits a Senator or employee of the Senate to: (1) solicit another Senator or employee of the Senate within Senate buildings for nonmonetary donations for the relief of victims of Hurricane Katrina; and (2) work with a nonprofit organization with respect to the delivery of such donations.
United States · United States Congress · 6 September 2005
Declares that the Senate: (1) expresses the condolences of the Nation to the victims of Hurricane Katrina; (2) commends the resiliency and courage of the people of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama; and (3) commits to provide the necessary resources and to stand by the people of such states in the relief, recovery, and rebuilding efforts.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2005
Commends the Iraqi people's progress toward establishment of a representative democratic government. Recognizes: (1) the importance of ensuring women in Iraq have equal rights under the law and in society; and (2) the importance of ensuring women's rights in all legislation, with special attention to preserving women's equal rights under family, property, and inheritance laws. Encourages Iraq's Transitional National Assembly to adopt a constitution that grants women equal rights under the law and to work to protect such rights. Expresses support for: (1) the continued participation of women in the Iraqi National Assembly and in all levels of the government; and (2) the efforts of Iraqi women to fully participate in a democratic Iraq.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2005
Honors: (1) the victory of Team Discovery in the 2005 Tour de France; (2) professional cyclist Lance Armstrong for his record seventh Tour victory; and (3) George Hincapie for his first Tour stage victory.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2005
Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2005 - Authorizes appropriations for FY2006-FY2011 for: (1) Amtrak capital and operating grants, including state capital grants; (2) the Federal Railroad Administration; (3) Amtrak repayment of long-term debt and capital leases; (4) excess Amtrak railroad retirement payments to the Railroad Retirement Account; (5) the rail cooperative research program; and (6) grants to Amtrak and states participating in the Next Generation Corridor Train Equipment Pool Committee. Amends federal transportation law to make certain Amtrak reforms and operational improvements, including: (1) state funding of Amtrak rail routes; (2) establishment of improved financial accounting system; (3) development of a five-year financial plan; (4) improvement of passenger train performance; (5) establishment of an alternative passenger rail service program; (6) employee transition assistance; and (7) development of a Northeast Corridor state-of-good-repair plan. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make grants to an applicant state, Interstate Compact, or public agency to assist in financing the capital costs of facilities and equipment necessary to provide intercity passenger rail transportation. Establishes: (1) a Next Generation Corridor Equipment Pool Committee; and (2) a rail cooperative research program. Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to make grants to Amtrak for certain systemwide security upgrades. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make grants to Amtrak for fire and life-safety improvements and infrastructure upgrades to tunnels on the Northeast Corridor. Directs Amtrak to submit to the National Transportation Safety Board a plan to address the needs of families of passengers involved in rail passenger accidents. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to report to Congress an assessment of the current system for preclearance and screening of rail and airline passengers and baggage, as well as freight railroad traffic, between the United States and Canada. Allows a tax credit to holders of rail infrastructure (intercity rail facility) bonds issued by a state, interstate compact, or Amtrak to finance or refinance certain rail improvement projects.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2005
Senate Campaign Disclosure Parity Act - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to require Senate candidates to file election-related designations, statements, and reports in electronic form. Requires the Secretary of the Senate to forward a copy of any electronically filed designation, statement, or report to the Federal Election Commission within one working day (instead of the current two working days) after receiving it.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2005
Amends the Deficit Reduction Act of 1984 to modify the special arbitrage rule pertaining to specified securities or obligations held in a fund which cannot be used under state law restrictions continuously in effect since October 9, 1969, to pay debt service on the bond issue or to finance the facilities that are to be financed with the proceeds of the bonds. Changes the effective date of such state law restrictions from October 9, 1969, to March 1, 1985, and requires that they be continuously in effect only through the bond issue's date of issue. Extends such rule, as an alternative, to specified securities or obligations held in a fund whose annual distributions cannot exceed 7% of the average fair market value of the assets held in the fund, except to the extent distributions are necessary to pay debt service on the bond issue.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2005
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable Gaylord A. Nelson, a former member of the United States Senate from Wisconsin. Declares that when the Senate adjourns on July 11, 2005, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of Senator Nelson.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2005
Declares that the Senate: (1) expresses deepest sympathies and condolences to the people of the United Kingdom and the victims and their families for the heinous terrorist attacks that occurred in London on July 7, 2005; (2) condemns these barbaric and unwarranted attacks on the innocent people of London; (3) expresses strong and continued solidarity with the people of the United Kingdom and pledges to remain shoulder-to-shoulder with them to bring the terrorists responsible for these brutal attacks to justice; and (4) calls upon the international community to renew and strengthen efforts to defeat terrorists by dismantling terrorist networks and exposing the violent and nihilistic ideology of terrorism, increase international cooperation to advance personal and religious freedoms, ethnic and racial tolerance, political liberty and pluralism, and economic prosperity, and combat the social injustice, oppression, poverty, and extremism that breeds terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2005
Meat Promotion Act of 2005 - Amends the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to replace current mandatory country of origin labeling requirements with a voluntary country of origin labeling program for meat and meat products. Sets forth: (1) limitations on use of United States country of origin labels; and (2) civil penalties for program violations.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2005
Protection of Homes, Small Businesses, and Private Property Act of 2005 - Declares that the power of eminent domain shall be available only for public use, which shall not be construed to include economic development. Applies such limitation to all exercises of eminent domain by the federal government or by state and local governments through the use of federal funds.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2005
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2005 - Authorizes Appropriations for FY2006-FY2007 to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for: (1) science, aeronautics, and exploration; (2) exploration capabilities; and (3) the Office of Inspector General. Authorizes appropriations to NASA for FY2008-FY2010. Specifies requirements for the development of NASA's budget requests. Provides for science programs that extend human knowledge and understanding of the universe, solar system, and Earth. Requires: (1) reports on NASA programs and activities, including reports on the Hubble servicing mission, core aeronautics research, and lessons learned and best practices for major programs and projects; (2) a program to develop a permanently sustained presence on the moon; (3) the development of a new crew exploration vehicle and heavy-lift launch vehicle; (4) a plan to ensure the long-term vitality of the earth observing system at NASA; (5) the development of a space commercialization plan; and (6) a competitive prize program to encourage the advancement of space and aeronautical technologies. Directs the President to develop a national aeronautics policy. Sets forth International Space Station (ISS) plan, cost, capability, usage, and reporting requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 2005
Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2005 - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to: (1) provide grants and low-cost revolving loans, on a competitive basis, to certain governmental and nonprofit agencies for projects to reduce diesel emissions; and (2) support grant and loan programs administered by the states to achieve reductions in diesel emissions. Requires the allocation of at least 50 percent of the funding under this Act for the benefit of public fleets. Requires the Administrator to give priority to proposed projects that will, among other things: (1) maximize public health benefits; (2) serve areas with the highest population density that are poor air quality or nonattainment areas; and (3) maximize the useful life of any retrofit technology. Requires the Administrator to submit to Congress a biennial report evaluating the implementation of programs under this Act. Directs the Administrator to establish a program for informing industry stakeholders (e.g., equipment manufacturers, state and local air quality managers, community organizations, and public health and environmental organizations) and foreign countries with air quality programs of the benefits and uses of technologies for diesel emission reductions.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 2005
Save America's Biotechnology Innovative Research Act of 2005 or SABIR Act - Amends provisions of the Small Business Act relating to the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program (a program under which a portion of a Federal agency's research or research and development funds are reserved for award to small businesses) to require a small business, in order to be SBIR-eligible, to have no more than 500 employees and be one of the following; (1) at least 51 percent owned and controlled by individuals or eligible venture capital companies who are U.S. citizens or permanent resident aliens; (2) not more than 49 percent owned and controlled by a single eligible venture capital company; (3) at least 51 percent owned and controlled by another business that is itself at least 51 percent owned and controlled by U.S. Citizens or permanent resident aliens; or (4) a joint venture in which each entity meets one of these ownership requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2005
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable J. James Exon, former United States Senator for Nebraska. Declares that when the Senate adjourns on June 13, 2005, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of Senator Exon.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2005
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should negotiate and sign free trade agreements that are comprehensive in scope in order to ensure that the entire U.S. economy can benefit from new market opportunities provided by such agreements.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2005
Violence Against Women Act of 2005 - Reauthorizes and increases funding under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 for grants to combat violence against women. Authorizes the Attorney General, through the Director of the Office on Violence Against Women, to award grants to improve court responses. Reauthorizes provisions of the Violence Against Women Acts of 2000 and 1994 concerning training and services for the elderly and the disabled and provisions of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act regarding funding for the national domestic violence hotline. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prevent cyber-stalking. Provides increased penalties for repeat domestic violence offenses and protection order violations. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to: (1) fund programs serving domestic violence victims ages 12 to 24; (2) develop collaborative responses and services to families where there is both child maltreatment and domestic violence; (3) strengthen home visitation and health care system responses; and (4) develop long-term housing options for domestic violence victims who are homeless. Directs the Attorney General to award grants to reduce violence against women on college campuses. Authorizes limited emergency leave for a public employee who is a victim of domestic violence. Grants the Secretary of Homeland Security (currently, the Attorney General) authority to determine whether an alien is or has been a victim of a severe form of trafficking. Makes inapplicable a provision finding an alien inadmissible upon demonstrating a connection between the alien being a victim of a severe form of trafficking and that alien's unlawful presence in the United States. Directs the Attorney General to: (1) permit Indian law enforcement agencies to enter into, and obtain information from, federal criminal information databases, in cases of domestic violence; and (2) develop a national tribal sex offender registry and a tribal protection order registry. Establishes in the Office a Deputy Director for Tribal Affairs.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2005
Commission on the Accountability and Review of Federal Agencies Act - Establishes the Commission on the Accountability and Review of Federal Agencies to: (1) evaluate executive agencies and their programs; and (2) submit to Congress a plan recommending agencies and programs that should be realigned or eliminated and proposing implementing legislation. Directs the President to: (1) establish a systematic method for assessing the effectiveness and accountability of agency programs; and (2) submit to the Commission assessments of not less than 50 percent of the programs that use such method. Prohibits the implementation of such method until it has been reviewed and accepted by the Commission. Requires the Commission to consider submitted assessments in evaluating programs. Requires the President to identify common performance measures for programs having similar functions and provide the Commission with data on such measures.