United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2005
Commends the people of Iraq on the January 2005 elections, and congratulates the new members of the Transitional National Assembly and the leaders of the provincial and regional governments. Urges the new leadership of Iraq to move forward with drafting the constitution, upholding the law, and holding a referendum on the new constitution. Honors the sacrifices made for freedom by the people of Iraq. Commends the Iraqi security forces and the U.S. Armed Forces and Coalition forces who ensured the elections could be conducted in a relatively safe and credible manner. Condemns all acts of violence and intimidation by members of the former Iraqi regime, insurgents, and other extremists and terrorists. Declares that it is in the interest of the people of Iraq, the Middle East, the United States, and the international community that Iraq transitions to a democratic state and serves as a catalyst for regional peace and stability. Calls on the international community, particularly Arab states, countries with predominantly Muslim populations, and all North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members, to provide military and police personnel to train Iraqi security forces and to otherwise assist in Iraq's political and economic development. Encourages the newly-elected transitional government of Iraq to ensure that all Iraqis, including members of the Sunni community, are represented in the Constitution-writing process and in the new Iraqi cabinet.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2005
Declares that the Senate: (1) apologizes to the victims and survivors of lynching for its failure to enact anti-lynching legislation; (2) expresses its deepest sympathies and most solemn regrets to the descendants of such victims whose ancestors were deprived of life, human dignity, and the constitutional protections accorded all other U.S. citizens; and (3) remembers the history of lynching, to ensure that these personal tragedies will be neither forgotten nor repeated.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 2005
United Nations Oil-for-Food Accountability Act of 2005 - Requires the withholding of certain FY 2006 and 2007 U.S. contributions to the United Nations (UN) until the President certifies that the UN is cooperating in the investigation of the United Nations Oil-for-Food Program.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 2005
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income hazard mitigation payments received under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act or the National Flood Insurance Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 2005
Partners for Fish and Wildlife Act - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to carry out the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to provide assistance to private landowners for voluntary projects to benefit Federal trust species by promoting habitat improvement, restoration, enhancement, and establishment. Defines "Federal trust species" to include migratory birds, threatened and endangered species, interjurisdictional fish, marine mammals, and other species of concern.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 2005
Adoption Tax Relief Guarantee Act - Exempts provisions expanding the adoption tax credit and adoption assistance programs enacted by the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 from the general terminating (sunset) provisions of that Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 2005
Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act of 2005 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to provide that, if the violator of the terms and conditions of any Federal Communications Commission (FCC) license, permit, or certificate is either a broadcast station licensee or permittee or an applicant for a broadcast license, permit, or certificate, and such violator is determined by the FCC to have broadcast obscene, indecent, or profane language, the amount of forfeiture penalty shall not exceed $325,000 for each violation or day of such violation, to a maximum of $3 million for any single act or failure to act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 2005
Amends the Head Start Act to require Head Start agencies to obtain written parental consent before administration of any nonemergency intrusive physical examination of a child in connection with participation in a Head Start program.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 2005
Amends the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 to identify as a high priority corridor on the National Highway System the Southwest Passage Initiative for Regional and Interstate Transportation Corridor (or SPIRIT Corridor), which extends along U.S. Route 54 from its starting point at El Paso, Texas, on the border between the United States and Mexico, through Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and ending in Wichita, Kansas.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2005
Constitutional Amendment - Marriage Protection Amendment - Declares that: (1) marriage in the United States shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman; and (2) neither the U.S. Constitution nor the constitution of any state shall be construed to require that marriage or the legal incidents of marriage be conferred upon any other union.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2005
Amends Federal aviation law to prohibit the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, solely by reason of a person's age if the person has not attained his or her Social Security retirement age, from: (1) denying, deferring as to, or failing to renew for any such person an airman or medical certificate for the operation of a commercial aircraft; (2) imposing restrictions or limitations on an airman or medical certificate following initial or periodic competency or medical testing which has the same age discriminatory effect on the person; or (3) requiring an air carrier to terminate the employment of, or not to employ, or to take any other action having the same age discriminatory effect on, such person as a pilot of an aircraft. Declares that such requirements shall not provide the basis for a claim of seniority made under any labor bargaining agreement in effect between the pilots and an air carrier by any pilot seeking re-employment by an air carrier following the pilot's previous termination or cessation of employment.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2005
Amends the Omnibus Indian Advancement Act to repeal the declaration that specified lands accepted by the Secretary of the Interior for the benefit of the Lytton Rancheria in California shall be deemed to have been held in trust and part of the reservation before October 17, 1988. (The date on the recorded deed is October 16, 2000.)
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2005
Clear Skies Act of 2005 - Amends the acid deposition control provisions of the Clean Air Act with respect to emissions limitations and allowances programs for sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and mercury by: (1) revising the allowance system and associated transfer, tracking, permit, compliance plan, and penalty requirements, including those for auctions; and (2) establishing new emissions limitations and trading programs (including implementation of a separate sulfur dioxide scheme for States in the Western Regional Air Partnership). Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to: (1) promulgate performance standards (limiting emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and mercury) for new boilers, integrated gasification combined cycle plants, and combustion turbines; and (2) conduct a comprehensive research and environmental assessment program to enhance understanding of health and environmental effects of particulate matter and mercury and to demonstrate the efficacy of emission reductions under this Act. Excludes the following units from consideration as major emitting facilities or major stationary sources (or parts thereof) for purposes of compliance with provisions concerning prevention of significant deterioration of air quality and plan requirements for nonattainment areas: those that achieve a specified limit on particulate matter emissions or certain national emissions standards for hazardous pollutants or those with properly operated and maintained equipment to limit particulate matter emissions and that use good combustion practices to minimize carbon monoxide emissions. Establishes procedures by which owners or operators may petition the Secretary of Energy for a determination that electricity reliability will likely be threatened by the need to install pollution control technology. Allows a compliance delay in the case of a successful petition. Requires States to ensure in implementation plans that: (1) in an attainment or unclassifiable area, any emissions increase from the construction or modification of an affected unit will not result in exceeding a national ambient air quality standard; and (2) in a nonattainment area, the emissions increase will not interfere with a program to assure the achievement of such a standard. Provides for designation of transitional areas under implementation plans and states requirements for emissions inventories, the attainment of standards by the end of 2015, and penalties for not meeting the eight-hour ozone or fine particles standard.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2005
Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act of 2005 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require an abortion provider, before beginning any abortion of a pain-capable unborn child (defined as an unborn child who has reached a probable stage of development of 20 weeks after fertilization), to: (1) make a specified statement to the pregnant woman that Congress has determined that there is substantial evidence that the process will cause the unborn child pain, and that the mother has the option of having pain-reducing drugs administered directly to the child; (2) provide to the woman an Unborn Child Pain Awareness Brochure (unless she waives receipt) and an Unborn Child Pain Awareness Decision Form; and (3) obtain on the form the woman's signature and her explicit request for or refusal of the administration of drugs to the child. Creates an exception for certified medical emergencies. Establishes penalties for willfully failing to comply with this Act, including civil penalties, medical license suspension, or both. Authorizes: (1) specified officials to bring suit in federal court; and (2) private rights of action by a parent or guardian of a woman who is an unemancipated minor. Requires each state and state medical licensing authority to promulgate procedures for the revocation or suspension of a provider's license upon a court finding that the provider has violated this Act. Subjects a state that fails to implement such procedures to loss of Medicaid funding.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2005
Personal Responsibility, Work, and Family Promotion Act of 2005 - Amends title IV (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to reauthorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services (Secretary) to award state family assistance grants. Authorizes States to use grants for marriage promotion activities and requires the Secretary to make bonus grants to each State that has achieved formulated employment goals. Revises requirements for: (1) the consideration of certain child care expenditures in determining State compliance with contingency fund requirements; (2) State work participation standards (including minimum participation rate floors), incorporating a 40-hour work week standard, and creating a State superachiever participation rate credit; and (3) the use of TANF grants. Replaces personal responsibility plans with family self-sufficiency plans. Authorizes the Secretary to establish TANF performance goals and plans. Makes appropriations for research, demonstrations, and technical assistance. Promotion and Support of Responsible Fatherhood and Healthy Marriage Act of 2005 - Amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to authorize the Secretary to make grants to public and nonprofit community entities for demonstration projects to test the effectiveness of various approaches to create a Fatherhood Program. Permits States the option to make TANF programs mandatory partners with one-stop employment training centers. Caring for Children Act of 2005 - Amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to specify consumer education information States are required to collect and disseminate. Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to income tax benefits. Reauthorizes funding for State child care entitlement programs and revises State requirements for child support payments. Amends: (1) SSA title XI (General Provisions) to eliminate specified limitations on the Secretary's authority to approve demonstration projects and grant waivers; and (2) SSA title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) to require the Commissioner of Social Security to review State agency blindness and disability determinations. Authorizes the administering Secretary to authorize innovative State demonstration projects involving individual programs, or integrating multiple public assistance, employment security, and other programs to support working families. Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to require the Secretary to establish a program to make grants to States to provide food assistance and funds to operate employment and training programs for needy individuals. Extends abstinence education funding and reauthorizes transitional medical assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2005
Child Custody Protection Act - Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit transporting a minor across a state line to obtain an abortion (deems such transporting to be a de facto abridgment of the right of a parent under any law in the minor’s state of residence that requires parental involvement in the minor’s abortion decision). Makes an exception for an abortion necessary to save the life of the minor. Protects from prosecution or civil liability the minor or the minor’s parents for violations of this Act. Makes it an affirmative defense to a prosecution or civil action under this Act that a defendant reasonably believed that before the minor obtained the abortion, the required parental consent or notification or judicial authorization took place. Authorizes any parent who suffers harm from a violation of this Act to seek relief in a civil action. Defines "parent" to include a guardian, legal custodian, or person standing in loco parentis.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2005
Flu Vaccine Incentive Act of 2005 or FLU-VIA - Rescinds the authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005, to make certain purchases of inflluenza vaccine. Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to exempt contracts entered into by the Secretary for the purchase of a pediatric influenza vaccine and other vaccines from certain price restrictions otherwise applicable to such contracts. Extends such exemption to any other Federal agency that purchases an influenza vaccine. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for investment in influenza vaccine manufacturing facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2005
Honoring Every Requirement of Exemplary Service Act of 2005 or HEROES Act of 2005 - Increases from $12,000 to $100,000 the death gratuity payable to the survivors of members of the Armed Forces who die: (1) as a direct result of armed conflict; (2) while engaged in hazardous service; (3) in the performance of duty under conditions simulating war; (4) through an instrumentality of war; or (5) in an operation or area designated as a combat operation or a combat zone. Requires the Secretary of the military department concerned to pay an additional death gratuity of $238,000 for a member of the Armed Forces who died before the date of enactment of this Act as a direct result of one or more wounds, injuries, or illnesses that were: (1) incurred in the theater of operations of Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom; or (2) as a direct result of armed conflict, while engaged in hazardous service, in the performance of duty under conditions simulating war, or through an instrumentality of war on or after October 7, 2001. Increases the maximum amount of life insurance coverage for a member of the armed forces under servicemembers' group life insurance. Provides for $150,000 additional life insurance with no deductible due from the member for combat-related deaths. Requires spousal approval for a member to elect not to have life insurance coverage or have less than the maximum amount allowable.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2005
Combat Meth Act of 2005 - Authorizes funds to provide training to State and local prosecutors and law enforcement agents for investigation and prosecution of methamphetamine offenses, including a set-aside for prosecutors and law enforcement agents for rural communities. Amends: (1) the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to expand the public safety and community policing grant program to authorize the use of grant funds to hire personnel and purchase equipment to assist in enforcing and prosecuting methamphetamine offenses and in cleaning up methamphetamine-affected areas; (2) the Controlled Substances Act to add pseudoephedrine to schedule V; and (3) the Public Health Service Act to authorize grants for the development of drug endangered children rapid response teams and grants to local governments, Indian tribes, and nonprofit private entities to provide treatment for methamphetamine abuse. Directs the Attorney General to allocate funds for the hiring and training of special assistant U.S. attorneys. Authorizes the Attorney General, acting through the Bureau of Justice Assistance, to award grants to States to establish methamphetamine precursor monitoring programs.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2005
Expresses: (1) sympathy for the victims and families of the earthquake and tsunami that struck communities throughout Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Eastern Africa on December 26, 2004; and (2) gratitude and respect for the work of all aid and relief personnel, including U.S. military personnel. Supports President George W. Bush's pledge of $350,000,000 in direct financial assistance, and additional indirect assistance, through the dispatch of U.S. military assets and personnel and through substantial voluntary and annual contributions to international organizations and bodies. Commends the ongoing international relief effort. Recognizes that U.S. Government assistance will be greatly supplemented by private U.S. donations and volunteers. Supports the long-term U.S. commitment to provide financial aid and other assistance to the impacted region.
United States · United States Congress · 7 December 2004
Intercountry Adoption Reform Act of 2004 or ICARE Act - Establishes an Office of Intercountry Adoptions within the Department of State (DOS). Requires the President to appoint an Ambassador at Large to head the Office. Transfers to the Office all immigration functions with respect to intercountry adoptions currently performed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to grant automatic U.S. citizenship to internationally adopted children upon entry of a full and final adoption decree (thus dispensing with the need for such children to obtain visas). Creates a new W nonimmigrant visa category for children traveling to the United States to be adopted by U.S. citizens. Allows adopted children age 18 or under to claim an exception to immunization requirements for purposes of admissibility (currently limited to those age 10 or under). Redefines the term "adoptable child." Requires U.S. citizen adoptive parents to obtain approval of an adoption petition prior to issuance of a W visa or a full and final adoption decree. Provides that such petitions are subject to the terms applicable to orphan petitions. Directs the Secretary of State to issue regulations: (1) establishing an expedited reapproval process for families whose prior approvals to adopt have expired; and (2) governing the appeal of petition denials. Requires the Office to determine whether a child is an adoptable child, pursuant to specified procedures, as a prerequisite to the issuance of a W visa or a full and final adoption decree. Sets forth civil and criminal penalties for certain violations.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 2004
Prohibits any Federal law, rule, or regulation from being construed to limit any Federal agency from providing any form of support to the Boy Scouts of America or the Girl Scouts of the United States of America, including: (1) holding meetings, jamborees, camporees, or other scouting activities on Federal property if such organization has received permission from the appropriate Federal official responsible for such property; or (2) hosting or sponsoring any official event of such organization.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2004
Commercial Space Launch Amendments Act of 2004 - Amends Federal law concerning commercial space transportation to make such law applicable to space flight crews and space flight participants. Instructs the Secretary to ensure that only one license or permit is required from the Department of Transportation to conduct activities involving crew or space flight participants. Prohibits the Secretary from granting waivers that would permit launches without a license or permit if humans will be aboard. Allows the holder of a license or a permit to launch and reenter crews and space flight participants, but only as specified. Authorizes the Secretary to issue regulations requiring space flight participants to undergo physical examination prior to launch or reentry. Authorizes the Secretary to issue safety regulations governing launch vehicle design or operation. Provides for the issuance of experimental permits (including permits for reusable suborbital rockets) allowing for an unlimited number of launches. Permits suspension of licenses under which a previous launch or reentry resulted in serious or fatal injuries. Requires crew and space flight participants to execute reciprocal waivers of claims with licensees and permitees and the Federal government. Makes liability indemnification program requirements inapplicable to space flight participants. Requires the Secretary to arrange for a study of the liability risk sharing regime for commercial space transportation which assesses how the current system could be eliminated. Requires the Secretary to arrange for a report analyzing safety issues related to launching humans into space.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2004
Flu Vaccine Incentive Act of 2004 or FLU-VIA - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to exempt contracts entered into by the Secretary of Health and Human Services for the purchase of a pediatric influenza vaccine and other vaccines from certain price restrictions applicable to such contracts. Extends such exemption to any other Federal agency that purchases an influenza vaccine. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for investment in influenza vaccine manufacturing facilities. Expresses the sense of the Senate supporting increased funding to develop new technologies for the production of influenza vaccines.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 2004
Congratulates the SpaceShipOne team (winner of the Ansari X Prize by being the first privately funded space vehicle to depart from and safely return to Earth twice within two weeks), led by Bert Rutan and test pilots Mike Melvill and Brian Binnie, for their historic achievement in human space flight.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 2004
American Bald Eagle Recovery and National Emblem Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, in celebration of the recovery of the bald eagle, in commemoration of the 35th anniversary of the enactment of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and the placement of the bald eagle on the endangered species list under such Act, to mint and issue not more than: (1) 100,000 $5 gold coins; (2) 500,000 $1 silver coins; and (3) 750,000 half dollar coins. Directs that the design of the coins be emblematic of the bald eagle and its history, natural biology, and national symbolism. Requires that sales of the coins include a surcharge of $35 per coin for the $5 coin, $10 for the $1 coin, and $3 for the half dollar coin, which shall be promptly paid by the Secretary to the American Eagle Foundation of Tennessee to: (1) establish an interest-bearing endowment called the American Eagle Fund as a permanent source of support for the care, monitoring, maintenance, and recovery of the bald eagle and its habitat in the United States; (2) make annual grants to Federal, State, and private eagle restoration, protection, and enhancement projects; (3) administer the Fund in an annual amount not to exceed the lesser of ten percent of the annual income of the Fund or $250,000; and (4) provide financial support for capital projects and for continuation and expansion of the Foundation's efforts to educate the American people about the bald eagle.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2004
Commodity Assessment, Protection, and Reform Act - Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to collect commodity assessments from the proceeds of a marketing assistance loan made in accordance with an agreement between the Secretary and a State. Defines "assessment " as funds that are: (1) collected with respect to a specific commodity; (2) paid by the first purchaser of the commodity; and (3) not collected through a tax or other revenue collection activity of a State.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2004
Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit : (1) counterfeiting a Federal document, record, or writing; (2) knowingly or negligently uttering or publishing such counterfeit (or unverified) information as true; or (3) knowingly or negligently transmitting such information to any office of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2004
Authorizes appropriations for the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 through FY 2010, including for research which focuses on water problems of an interstate nature.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 2004
Commends Mrs. Inez Sitter (associated with the Jones Academy of Hartshorne, Oklahoma, which is operated by the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma) for her outstanding service to the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, the State of Oklahoma, and the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 25 August 2004
Water Resources Development Act of 2004 - Sets forth provisions providing authorizations for, modifications to, deauthorizations of, and study requirements for inland waterway, port and harbor, flood damage reduction, coastal storm damage reduction, ecosystem restoration, environmental remediation, water storage, water quality, and watershed planning projects or programs throughout the country. Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to: (1) engage in activities in support of foreign governments; and (2) include individuals from the private sector in Corps of Engineers training classes. Establishes the Corps of Engineers River Stewardship Commission. Directs: (1) the Secretary to establish within the civil works function of the Department of the Army a Water Resource Planning Council; (2) the Inspector General of the Army to convene an independent peer review panel; and (3) the Secretary to carry out a program to provide public access to water resource and related water quality data in the Corps' custody. Directs the Secretary to: (1) carry out ecosystem restoration projects regarding the Upper Mississippi River and Illinois River; (2) develop a system to rank proposed projects; and (3) carry out (over at least a ten-year period) a pilot program to restore and protect fish and wildlife habitat in the middle Mississippi River. Establishes: (1) the Coastal Louisiana Ecosystem Protection and Restoration Task Force; and (2) a Coastal Louisiana Ecosystem Science and Technology Program. Directs the Secretary to establish a Science Board to review and comment on Program activities. Enacts Executive Order 13340 entitled "Establishment of Great Lakes Interagency Task Force and Promotion of a Regional Collaboration of National Significance for the Great Lakes." Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop a general management plan for ecosystem restoration of the Upper Connecticut River ecosystem; and (2) complete work on the San Pablo Bay watershed, California. Modifies provisions regarding the Mississippi River Headwaters Reservoir. Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance to the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out the Conservation Corridor Demonstration Program, Delaware and Maryland. Designates the Division Engineer, North Atlantic Division, of the Corps, the ex officio U.S. member under the Susquehanna River Basin Compact and the Delaware River Basin Compact.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2004
Space Commercial Human Ascent Serving Expeditions Act (Space CHASE Act) - Amends Federal law concerning commercial space transportation to specify that the Secretary of Transportation shall carry out commercial space launch activities through the Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation. Provides for the issuance of experimental permits for an unlimited number of launches of reusable suborbital rockets. Subjects to specified conditions reusable suborbital rockets and holders of licenses or permits to launch and reenter crews and space flight participants. Requires crew and space flight participants to execute reciprocal waivers of claims with licensees and permitees and the Federal government. Makes liability indemnification program requirements inapplicable to space flight participants. Extends liability insurance and financial responsibility requirements for three years. Requires the Secretary to arrange for the National Academy of Public Administration to study how best to gradually eliminate by 2008 or so the liability risk sharing regime for commercial space transportation.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2004
First Amendment Restoration Act - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to repeal: (1) a requirement that persons making disbursements for electioneering communications file reports on such disbursements with the Federal Election Commission; (2) a prohibition against the making of disbursements for electioneering communications by corporations and labor organizations; and (3) a provision treating coordinated communications as contributions.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2004
States that the Senate recognizes Israel's right of self-defense against Palestinian terrorist attacks, and supports the construction of a security fence, the route of which, with the support of the Government of Israel, takes into account the need to minimize Palestinian land confiscation and the imposition of hardships on the Palestinian people. Condemns the decision of the International Court of Justice on the legality of the security fence. Urges the United States to vote against any further United Nations action that could delay or prevent the construction of the security fence and to engage in a diplomatic campaign to persuade other countries to do the same.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2004
Iran Freedom and Support Act of 2004 - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) it should be U.S. policy to support regime change for the Islamic Republic of Iran and to promote the transition to a democratic government; (2) contacts with democratic Iranian opposition groups that have pledged to adhere to nonproliferation should be expanded, and official meetings with representatives of the Iranian Government should be terminated; and (3) the President should designate at least one democratic opposition group eligible for assistance within 90 days of enactment of this Act. Authorizes the President to provide assistance to foreign and domestic pro-democracy groups opposed to the Government of Iran, including the award of grants to qualified pro-democracy radio and television broadcasting organizations. Requires presidential notification to specified congressional committees prior to any such obligation of assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 7 July 2004
Recognizes the important and unique contribution of Native Americans to the cultural legacy of the United States. Honors the cultural achievements of all Native Americans. Celebrates the official opening of the National Museum of the American Indian. Encourages all Americans to take advantage of the resources of the Museum to learn about the history and culture of Native Americans.
United States · United States Congress · 7 July 2004
Constitutional Amendment - Federal Marriage Amendment - Declares that marriage in the United States shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman. Prohibits the Constitution or any State constitution from being construed to require that marital status or its legal incidents be conferred upon any union other than that of a man and a woman.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2004
Water Resources Development Act of 2004 - Sets forth provisions providing authorizations for, modifications to, deauthorizations of, and study requirements for inland waterway, port and harbor, flood damage reduction, coastal storm damage reduction, ecosystem restoration, environmental remediation, water storage, water quality, and watershed planning projects or programs throughout the country. Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to: (1) engage in activities in support of foreign governments; and (2) include individuals from the private sector in Corps of Engineers training classes. Establishes the Corps of Engineers River Stewardship Commission. Directs: (1) the Secretary to establish within the civil works function a Water Resource Planning Council; and (2) the Inspector General of the Army to convene an independent peer review panel. Directs the Secretary to: (1) carry out ecosystem restoration projects regarding the Upper Mississippi River and Illinois River; (2) develop a system to rank proposed projects; and (3) carry out (over at least a ten-year period) a pilot program to restore and protect fish and wildlife habitat in the middle Mississippi River. Establishes: (1) the Coastal Louisiana Ecosystem Protection and Restoration Task Force; and (2) a Coastal Louisiana Ecosystem Science and Technology Program. Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop a general management plan for ecosystem restoration of the Upper Connecticut River ecosystem; and (2) complete work on the San Pablo Bay watershed, California. Modifies provisions regarding the Mississippi River Headwaters Reservoir. Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance to the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out the Conservation Corridor Demonstration Program, Delaware and Maryland. Designates the Division Engineer, North Atlantic Division, of the Corps the ex officio U.S. member under the Susquehanna River Basin Compact and the Delaware River Basin Compact.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2004
Water Infrastructure Financing Act - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to establish a grant program for qualified nonprofit technical assistance providers that assist treatment works serving small rural communities. Expands the list of projects eligible for State water pollution control revolving loan fund assistance. Authorizes States to provide additional assistance to disadvantaged communities. Sets forth a system for prioritizing eligible projects. Authorizes the transfer of a percentage of Federal capitalization grants between State water pollution control revolving loan funds and State drinking water treatment revolving loan funds. Establishes a formula for the allocation of Federal funds to State water pollution control revolving loan funds. Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to reauthorize appropriations for environmental finance centers. Specifies permissible uses for amounts deposited in State drinking water treatment revolving loan funds. Redefines "disadvantaged community" for purposes of fund assistance to include portions of public water system service areas. Sets forth a system for prioritizing projects eligible for funds. Authorizes States to provide grants to qualified private, nonprofit entities to capitalize small water system revolving loan funds. Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to: (1) establish a nationwide demonstration grant program for water quality enhancement and management; (2) contract with the National Academy of Sciences for a cost-of-service study regarding public water systems and treatment works; and (3) identify ways to expedite and improve the review process for the provision of assistance from State water pollution control and drinking water treatment revolving loan funds.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 2004
AGOA Acceleration Act of 2004 - Declares the sense of Congress that the preferential market access opportunities for eligible sub-Saharan African countries (SSA countries) will be complemented and enhanced if those countries implement specified existing obligations under the World Trade Organization (WTO). Urges such countries to participate in and support mutual trade liberalization in ongoing negotiations under WTO auspices, recognizing that such commitments may need to reflect special and differential treatment for developing countries. States that eligible SSA countries will benefit from reduction of trade barriers in other developing countries. Urges all countries to make sanitary and phytosanitary decisions on the basis of sound science. Expresses the sense of Congress that the executive branch, including specified Federal agencies, should enforce African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) provisions relating to preferential treatment of textile and apparel articles, broadly in order to expand trade by maximizing opportunities for imports of such articles from eligible SSA countries. Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to extend duty-free treatment for AGOA articles: (1) from FY 2008 through 2015; and (2) made from material produced in former beneficiary SSA countries. Defines former beneficiary sub-Saharan African country as a country that, after being designated as a beneficiary sub-Saharan African country under AGOA, ceased to be designated as such a country by reason of its entering into a free trade agreement with the United States. Amends AGOA to revise requirements for textile and apparel products from SSA countries receiving duty-free and other preferential import treatment, including extensions of such treatment to certain apparels. Authorizes duty-free and preferential treatment for certain apparel articles such as ethnic printed fabric of an SSA country that meets certain conditions. Extends preferential treatment to an article containing fibers or yarns not wholly formed in former beneficiary SSA countries (currently, the United States or one or more beneficiary SSA countries) if the total weight of all such fibers and yarns is not more than ten (currently, seven) percent of the total weight of the article. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury, under specified conditions, to liquidate or reliquidate as free of duty and free of any quantitative restrictions, limitations, or consultative levels any entries of certain apparel. Requires the President to: (1) study each eligible SSA country, identifying sectors of its economy with the greatest potential for growth, including through export sales, and identifying both domestic and international barriers impeding such growth; (2) make recommendations on how the Federal Government and the private sector can provide technical assistance to assist that country in dismantling such barriers and promoting investment in such sectors; and (3) disseminate information to appropriate Federal agencies on each such country. Requires the President to develop and implement policies to encourage the development of investment in SSA countries, particularly in: (1) infrastructure projects supporting development of land transport road and railroad networks and ports, and the continued upgrading and liberalization of the energy and telecommunications sectors; (2) establishment and expansion of modern information and communication technologies and practices to improve the ability of citizens to research and disseminate specified information; and (3) agriculture, particularly in processing and capacity enhancement. Requires the President to: (1) foster improved port-to-port and airport-to-airport relationships in order to facilitate and increase trade flows between eligible SSA countries; (2) encourage the development of infrastructure projects that will help increase trade capacity and a sustainable ecotourism industry in such countries; (3) identify at least ten eligible SSA countries as having the greatest potential to increase marketable exports of agricultural products to the United States and the greatest need for technical assistance, particularly with respect to pest risk assessments and complying with U.S. sanitary and phytosanitary rules; (4) assign at least 20 full-time personnel to provide assistance to such countries to ensure that their exports of agricultural products meet Federal law requirements; and (5) convene the trade advisory committee on Africa established by Executive Order 11846 of March 27, 1975, under the Trade Act of 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2004
Recognizes the importance of fathers to a healthy society. Calls on all the people of the United States to observe Father's Day by considering how society can better respect and support fatherhood.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2004
Repeals the termination date for specified provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act (currently, various provisions of the Act, including wiretapping provisions, sunset on December 31, 2005).
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2004
Tax Code Termination Act - Mandates the termination of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 after December 31, 2009, except for self-employment taxes, Federal Insurance Contributions Act taxes, and Railroad Retirement taxes. Declares that any new Federal tax system should be a simple and fair system that: (1) applies a low rate to all Americans; (2) provides tax relief for working Americans; (3) protects the rights of taxpayers and reduces tax collection abuses; (4) eliminates the bias against savings and investment; (5) promotes economic growth and job creation; and (6) does not penalize marriage or families. Requires that the new Federal tax system be approved by Congress in its final form by July 4, 2009.
![Official portrait of Sen. Inhofe, James M. [R-OK]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/i000024_200.jpg)