United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1985
Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to urge the President to take all appropriate and feasible steps to reduce or eliminate tariff and nontariff barriers to international trade and other distortions of international trade through: (1) the full exercise of U.S. rights under international agreements; and (2) the negotiation of trade agreements. Authorizes the President to enter into trade agreements during the five years following January 3, 1988, to reduce or eliminate trade barriers and distortions if the President finds that: (1) such barriers or distortions unduly restrict U.S. foreign trade or adversely affect the U.S. economy or are likely to result in such a restriction or effect; (2) the purposes of the Trade Act of 1974 will be promoted by the reduction or elimination of such barriers or distortions. Authorizes entering into a trade agreement only if the President, at least 150 days before such agreement is entered into: (1) notifies specified congressional committees of the negotiations of such agreement; (2) consults with each such committee regarding the negotiation; and (3) submits to each such committee a written statement of the specific negotiating objectives that the President anticipates will be achieved by such agreement and its implementing bill, a description of how such objectives will be achieved, and the specific negotiating objectives the President anticipates will not be achieved and the reasons for such failure. Provides that an implementing bill will not receive expedited congressional consideration if such conditions are not met or if a specified congressional committee disapproved the negotiation within 60 days of receiving notice of it. Requires the U.S. Trade Representative to consult with interested congressional committees at least once a year on such negotiations, their progress, and obstacles to the achievement of their objectives. Requires the President to consult with specified congressional committees before entering into any trade agreement. Requires the President, whenever entering into a trade agreement, to submit such agreement, together with a draft implementing bill and statement of proposed implementing administrative action to the Congress. Provides that a trade agreement submitted to the Congress shall enter into force with respect to the United States only if: (1) the President, at least 90 days before entering into such trade agreement, notified the Congress of the intent to enter into it and published notice of such intent; and (2) after entering into the agreement, the President sends the final legal text of the agreement to the Congress along with certain other information. Sets forth certain recommendations the President may make to the Congress to insure that foreign countries which benefit under a trade agreement are subject to obligations under the agreement. Directs the President, upon starting negotiations on a trade agreement to limit trade barriers, to try to obtain an interim agreement under which any country participating in such negotiations shall: (1) decline to impose new trade barriers or trade-distorting devices; and (2) reduce market intervention and allow market forces to govern growth of industries characterized by overcapacity or overproduction. Requires that the U.S. objectives in negotiating trade agreements under the basic authority to negotiate shall be to obtain: (1) more open, fair, and equitable market access; (2) the reduction or elimination of barriers and other trade-distorting practices; and (3) an appropriate overall balance between benefits and concessions within the agricultural, manufacturing, mining, and services sectors. Requires that the principal objectives in negotiating agreements to reduce trade barriers shall be to: (1) obtain, with respect to manufacturing, mining, agriculture, and services and with respect to related investments, equivalent competitive opportunities for U.S. exports; and (2) bring previously made trade agreements into conformity with principles promoting an open, nondiscriminatory, and fair world economic system. Authorizes the President for the five years following January 3, 1988, to: (1) proclaim an increase in an import duty or an imposition of an additional import duty in lieu of any limit on imports of an article; or (2) use import licenses in administering any of such limitations and sell such licenses at public auctions.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1985
Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement Amendments of 1985 - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to declare that acts of importation into, or sale in, the United States of articles that infringe a valid U.S. patent, copyright, trademark, U.S. maskwork, or trade secret are unfair and have the effect of destroying or substantially injuring a U.S. industry or impairing the establishment of such industry. Permits any person to petition the International Trade Commission (ITC) for the issuance of an order to exclude such articles, during its investigation, from entry into the United States. Sets forth: (1) civil penalties for violations under this Act; and (2) procedures for the modification or recision of an ITC order under this Act. Repeals a specified section of the Tariff Act of 1930 relating to the importation of products produced under a process covered by claims of an unexpired patent.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1985
Declares that it is U.S. policy to: (1) eliminate or offset foreign unfair trade practices and other trade-distorting measures through enforcement of U.S. laws and rights under the international trading system; (2) strengthen international trading rules and U.S. laws relating to such rules through trade agreements that promote open and fair world trade; (3) aid potentially competitive U.S. industries faced with injury from imports; (4) examine the underlying reasons for exchange rate misalignment and currency market instability and investigate alternative methods of structuring currency values; (5) increase the participation of developing countries in the world trading system; (6) revise U.S. laws related to unfair trade practices to eliminate trade-distorting practices of nonmarket economy countries; (7) protect intellectual property rights of U.S. persons to ensure the competitiveness, technological innovation, and growth of U.S. industry and agriculture; (8) facilitate U.S. exports; and (9) respond immediately to import problems in which national security may be involved.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1985
Pharmaceutical Export Amendments of 1985 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to permit the export of certain drugs (including biological products) intended for human or animal use even though such drugs have not been approved or licensed for use in the United States. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish and update a two-tiered list of countries with adequate governmental health authorities which in the first tier includes developed regulatory procedures and tests with experienced scientific personnel and in the second tier includes sufficient ability to assure consistency of labeling information. Permits shipments to nonlist countries where differing health conditions make such shipments desirable, e.g. tropical diseases. Permits the export of an unapproved drug to a second tier country if such drug is approved for use in any first-tier country and not banned for use in any first-tier country. Prohibits the export of drugs denied approval on the basis of safety and efficacy or whose manufacture in the United States has been determined to be contrary to U.S. health and safety. Sets forth other criteria and restrictions on the export of such drugs, including notice requirements on shipments and notice of and opportunity to cure deficiencies in such shipments. Permits the Secretaries of Agriculture and Health and Human Services to prohibit noncomplying shipments and shipments otherwise permitted if either Secretary determines a shipment would present an imminent hazard to the public health of the recipient country. Requires the Comptroller General to report biennially to the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Congress on the extent to which drugs unauthorized for a country are being received by such country and the extent to which labeling is consistent. Directs the Secretary to contract for a study to be submitted to the Congress within five years on the economic and international health impact of this Act. Includes condition prevalent in a developing country among the criteria for orphan drugs.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 1985
Amends the Arms Export Control Act to require that a congressional veto of an arms export proposal must be enacted into law. (Currently such veto may be in the form of adoption of a concurrent resolution.)
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 1985
Manufacture and Public Distribution of Certain Copyrighted Material Act-Amends the copyright law to extend the manufacturing clause, which prohibits the importation of certain English language books not manufactured in the United States and Canada, to cover printed material. Eliminates the Canadian exemption, per se. Permits exemptions from such restriction if a foreign country, including Canada, provides adequate copyright protection for foreign nationals and such country freely trades in printed matter with the United States. Eliminates the exemption for U.S. authors who transfer rights of reproduction to a foreign agent. Exempts the importation of specified works pursuant to specified agreements or treaties.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 1985
Foreign Assistance and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1986 - Title I: Multilateral Economic Assistance Funds Appropriated to the President - Makes appropriations for FY 1986 for the U.S. contribution to the: (1) International Bank for Reconstruction and Development; (2) International Development Association; (3) International Finance Corporation; (4) Inter-American Development Bank; (5) Asian Development Bank; (6) African Development Fund; and (7) African Development Bank. Limits the callable capital subscriptions of the United States to such development banks. Makes appropriations for FY 1986 for international organizations and programs. Sets forth the method of allocating such funds. Title II: Bilateral Economic Assistance - Makes appropriations for FY 1986 for the Agency for International Development for: (1) agricultural, rural development, and nutrition programs, including amounts earmarked for new projects using surplus dairy products and for the Vitamin A Deficiency Program; (2) population programs with a prohibition against funding programs that support coercive abortion or involuntary sterilization; (3) health programs, including a specified amount earmarked for child survival programs; (4) the Child Survival Fund; (5) education and human resources for development programs, including specified amounts for scholarships for South African students, the International Student Exchange Program, and the National University in Costa Rica; (6) energy and selected development activities, including amounts earmarked for the cooperative projects among the United States, Israel, and developing countries, hybrid poplar energy farming in Nepal, and a land use management system in Costa Rica; (7) science and technology programs; (8) the private sector revolving fund, including a limit on obligations during 1986; (9) loan allocation programs, including specified repayment deadlines; (10) American schools and hospitals abroad; (11) international disaster assistance; (12) the Sahel development program, including a limit on contributions to such program; (13) payment to the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability Fund; (14) the Economic Support Fund; (15) peacekeeping operations; (16) the operating expenses of the Agency for International Development, including a requirement that not less than ten percent of the total FY 1986 development funds shall be available only for activities of economically and socially disadvantaged enterprises, historically black colleges and universities, and private and voluntary organizations which are controlled by black Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, or economically and socially disadvantaged individuals (including women); (17) the operating expenses of the Agency for International Development Office of Inspector General; (18) trade credit insurance program; (19) trade and development programs; (20) housing and other credit guaranty programs; and (21) aid to Lebanon. Prohibits, subject to certain conditions, making any development assistance funds available after January 1, 1986, to any U.S. private and voluntary organization which obtains less than 25 percent of its total annual funding for international activities from sources other than the Federal Government. Limits the use of the Economic Support Fund appropriations, including earmarking specified amounts for: (1) Israel; (2) Egypt; (3) El Salvador for investigation into the murders of U.S. citizens in El Salvador; (4) Ecuador; (5) the Philippines; (6) Cyprus; and (7) Costa Rica. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the recommended levels of aid for Egypt and Israel are based in great measure on their continued participation in the Camp David Accords and upon the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty. Urges Egypt and Israel to continue to try to restore a full diplomatic relationship and achieve realization of the Camp David Accords. Authorizes Economic Support Fund aid for Mozambique only for activities in support of the private sector and only through private voluntary orgnizations. Prohibits using the funds in the Syrian Termination Account for any purposes other than those for which the account was created. Makes appropriations for FY 1986 for the: (1) African Development Foundation; (2) the Inter-American Foundation; and (3) the Peace Corps. Authorizes appropriations for the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC). Limits the FY 1986 amounts for OPIC loans and loan guarantees. Makes appropriations for FY 1986 to the Department of State for: (1) international narcotics control; (2) migration and refugee assistance; and (3) antiterrorism assistance. Earmarks specified amounts of the migration and refugee assistance funds for: (1) aid to refugees settling in Israel; (2) the administrative expenses of the State Department Office of Refugee Programs; (3) aid to certain Vietnamese refugees; (4) aid to African refugee programs; (5) aid to the International Committee of the Red Cross; and (6) combating piracy in the Gulf of Thailand, and aiding piracy victims and refugees in Southeast Asia. Title III: Military Assistance - Makes appropriations for FY 1986 for: (1) military assistance; (2) international military education and training program; (3) foreign military credit sales; (4) the guaranty reserve fund established under the Arms Export Control Act; and (5) foreign military credit sales debt reform. Earmarks specified amounts of the military assistance funds for: (1) the Philippines; (2) Turkey; and (3) Tunisia. Requires certain reports on aid to El Salvador to be provided to the congressional Appropriations Committees. Declares that such reports shall supersede other reporting requirements relating to El Salvador. Earmarks specified amounts of foreign military sales credits for Israel (with a specified amount earmearked for the Lavi program) and Egypt. Releases Israel and Egypt from their liability to repay such amounts. Limits the total amount of FY 1986 foreign military sales loans. Prohibits extending foreign military sales credits or issuing such guarantees to Jordan, Turkey, Greece, or the Philippines, for FY 1986 if such action would cause the sum of such credits and guarantees for Jordan, Turkey, Greece, or the Philippines to exceed a specified amount. Earmarks a specified amount of concessional credits for Tunisia. Limits the amount that may be obligated for the Special Defense Acquisition Fund during FY 1986. Title IV: Export-Import Bank of the United States - Makes appropriations for FY 1986 for the Export-Import Bank to make certain expenditures and certain contracts and commitments. Prohibits the use of such funds to make expenditures, contracts, or commitments for nuclear exports to a country other than a nuclear-weapon State. Sets the maximum amounts for direct loans and loan guarantees by the Export-Import Bank. Limits the amount that the Export-Import Bank may spend for administrative expenses. Title V: General Provisions - Prohibits using any of the funds appropriated in this Act, other than appropriations for international organizations and programs, for certain water or related land resource projects proposed for construction within the United States. Limits the percentage of appropriation items, with specified exceptions, that shall be obligated or reserved during the last month of availability. Prohibits using any of the funds appropriated by this Act or any of the counterpart funds generated by this Act to pay pensions, annuities, retirement pay, or adjusted service compensation to persons serving in the armed forces of a recipient country. Prohibits using certain funds appropriated or made available pursuant to this Act for: (1) making payments on procurement contracts which do not authorize the termination of such contract for the convenience of the United States; or (2) paying any assessments, arrearages, or dues of any member of the United Nations. Prohibits using any of the funds contained in title II of this Act to carry out the transfer of funds to international or multilateral lending organizations. Sets the maximum amounts of the funds appropriated or made available by this Act that shall be used for official residence expenses, entertainment expenses, and representation allowances of the Agency for International Development. Prohibits using certain funds appropriated or made available pursuant to this Act to finance the export of nuclear equipment, fuel, or technology. Prohibits using funds appropriated by this Act to: (1) help the government of any country repress the legitimate rights of the population; (2) finance aid or reparations to Angola, Cambodia, Cuba, Iraq, Libya, Vietnam, South Yemen, or Syria; or (3) finance aid to a country whose elected head of government is deposed by military coup or decree. Prohibits obligating funds made by this Act under an appropriation account to which they were not appropriated without the prior approval of both congressional Appropriations Committees. Continues the availability of certain AID funds provided the congressional Appropriations Committees are notified. Prohibits using funds appropriated by this Act: (1) for publicity or propaganda purposes within the United States not authorized before enactment of this Act; and (2) to furnish assistance to a country which is in default for more than a year in a loan made by the United States pursuant to a program for which funds are appropriated under this Act. Prohibits appropriations contained in this Act from remaining available after the expiration of the current fiscal year unless expressly provided in this Act. Prohibits making available any of the funds appropriated or made available pursuant to this Act to any international financial institution whose U.S. representative: (1) cannot upon request obtain the amounts and names of borrowers for all loans of such institution; or (2) cannot upon request obtain any document developed by the management of such institution. Prohibits obligating any of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act to the Export-Import Bank and any of the appropriations for direct foreign assistance for any country that gives sanctuary to war criminals or international terrorists unless the President finds that national security requires otherwise. Prohibits using funds appropriated for direct assistance and Export-Import Bank funds and Overseas Private Investment Corporation funds to finance any loan or other assistance for establishing or expanding production of any commodity for export by any country other than the United States if the commodity is likely to be in surplus on world markets and if the assistance will cause substantial injury to U.S. producers of the same, similar, or competing commodity. Provides that such prohibition shall not apply to the Export-Import Bank if the benefits to U.S. industry and employment are likely to outweigh injury to U.S. producers. Requires funds appropriated under this Act to be made available or prohibited only in accordance with the provisions of this Act. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. executive directors of specified international finance institutions to oppose assistance by these institutions for the production of any commodity for export if it is in surplus on world markets and if the assistance will cause substantial injury to U.S. producers of the same, similar, or competing commodity. Prohibits using specified funds made available under this Act for operations not justified or in excess of the amount justified to the Appropriations Committees for obligation under any of these specific headings for FY 1986 unless the Appropriations Committees are notified 15 days in advance. Limits expenditures for consulting services through procurement contracts. Prohibits using funds appropriated under this Act to lobby for abortion. Prohibits making such funds available for any country that fails to take adequate measures to prevent narcotic drugs or other controlled substances from being sold illegally within the jurisdiction of such country to U.S. Government personnel or from entering the United States unlawfully. Prohibits any of the international organizations and programs funds from being available for the U.S. proportionate share for any programs for the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), the Southwest African Peoples Organization, Libya, Iran, or Cuba. Requires the President to report to the Congress annually on the degree of support of each foreign country for U.S. foreign policy. Prohibits making any foreign aid funds available to a country which is engaged in a consistent pattern of opposition to U.S. foreign policy. Authorizes Israel to use any loan which is or was made available to it under the Arms Export Control Act and for which repayment is or was forgiven before using any other loan made available under such Act. Declares that it is U.S. policy that the funds provided in the annual appropriations for the Economic Support Fund which are allocated to Israel shall not be less than the annual debt repayment from Israel to the United States. Prohibits U.S. employees from recognizing or negotiating with the PLO or representatives of the PLO so long as the PLO does not recognize Israel's right to exist, does not accept Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338, and does not renounce the use of terrorism. Declares that none of the funds made available in this Act shall be restricted for obligation or disbursement solely as a result of the policies of a multilateral institution. Prohibits ceilings or earmarks contained in this Act from being applied to funds made available by subsequent Acts unless such subsequent Acts specifically so direct. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of State to submit to specified congressional committees by February 1, 1986, a report on the domestic economic policies of those nations receiving U.S. economic aid. Prohibits using funds made available in this Act to make available to El Salvador any helicopters or other aircraft and prohibits issuing licenses for the export of such aircraft to El Salvador unless specified congressional committees are notified at least 15 days before such occurrences. Directs the President to make certain military and economic assistance funds available to the Cambodian non-communist resistance forces. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S Executive Directors of the multilateral development banks to: (1) promote a commitment by these institutions to add staff to review the environmental effects of projects; (2) promote changes in these banks in their preparation of projects and county programs that will encourage staff and borrower countries to involve environment and public health ministers and to use the resources of available nongovernmental organizations in the preparation of projects and in bank-supported country program planning; (3) promote a commitment of these banks to increase the proportion of their lending programs supporting environmentally beneficial projects, resource rehabilitation projects, and appropriate or light capital technology projects; (4) promote the establishment within the Economic Development Institute of the World Bank of a component which provides training in environment and natural planning and program development; (5) evaluate the potential environmental problems associated with all proposed loans for projects involving large impoundments of rivers in tropical countries, penetration roads into relatively undeveloped areas, and agricultural and rural development programs; (6) call for separate and special meetings of each of the Boards of Executive Directors of these institutions to discuss their environmental performance; and (7) require the U.S. Executive Directors of such banks to request reviews by each of these banks of their environmental performance over the past ten years. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to report to the Appropriations Committees on the progress made in implementing certain reforms. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of State to undertake additional measures to discuss ways of improving the environmental performance of the multilateral development banks. Earmarks a specified amount of the development assistance and Economic Support Fund assistance appropriated by this Act for the Afghan people. Expresses the sense of the Congress that no foreign military sales financing appropriated by this Act may be used to finance the procurement by Jordan of U.S. advanced aircraft, new air defense weapons, or other new advanced military weapons systems and no notification may be made with respect to a proposed sale to Jordan of such aircraft or systems unless Jordan is publicly committed to the recognition of Israel and to negotiate with Israel. Prohibits using funds appropriated or made available by this Act to aid a private voluntary organization that fails to comply with the auditing requirements of the Agency for International Development. Prohibits spending a specified amount of the military aid for El Salvador made available by this Act until the President reports to the Appropriations Committees that El Salvador: (1) has substantially concluded its investigation into the deaths of two U.S. Land Reform Consultants; and (2) has pursued all legal avenues to bring to trial those who ordered their murders.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1985
Declares that no letter of offer, prior to March 1, 1986, shall be valid with respect to any proposed sales to Jordan of advanced weapons systems, including advanced aircraft and advanced air defense systems, that are described in the notification pursuant to the Arms Export Control Act, unless direct peace negotiations between Israel and Jordan are underway.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 1985
Prohibits the President from issuing a letter of offer relating to proposed sales to Jordan of certain advanced weapons systems before the start of direct bilateral negotiations between Jordan and Israel. Prohibits delivery of any weapons if such a letter of offer is issued and accepted before enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 1985
Declares that the Congress calls upon the President to direct the Agency for International Development (AID) to work in a global effort to provide support toward achieving the goal of universal access to childhood immunization by the year 1990. Sets forth specified actions to be taken by AID, in conjunction with the World Health Organization and UNICEF, in reaching such goal. Urges the President to seek both private and public assistance in the United States to achieve universal access to childhood immunization.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1985
Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to direct the President, in providing assistance to developing countries, to: (1) place a high priority on conservation and sustainable management of tropical forests; and (2) take certain steps (including engaging in dialogues on conserving forest resources and information exchanges with recipient countries, supporting projects and activities which offer alternatives to colonizing forests, supporting related training and research programs, helping to end destructive agricultural practices, and denying any assistance for certain activities harmful to the forests). Directs the President, whenever feasible, to accomplish the objectives of this Act through projects managed by private and voluntary and other nongovernmental organizations. Requires the annual report to the Congress on foreign aid programs to include a report on the implementation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1985
Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize appropriations to help developing countries protect and maintain wildlife habitats and develop sound wildlife management and plant conservation programs. Requires each country development strategy statement or other country plan prepared by the Agency for International Development (AID) to include a detailed plan to assist that country in the conservation of biological diversity. States that, whenever feasible, such protection, maintenance, management, and conservation activities shall be accomplished through projects managed by private and voluntary organizations and other nongovernmental organizations. Directs AID to allocate at least a specified sum for projects managed by such organizations. Directs the Administrator of AID to take certain steps, including: (1) cooperating with appropriate organizations; (2) looking to the World Conservation Strategy as an overall guide; (3) engaging in dialogues and exchanges of information with recipient countries which stress the importance of conserving biological diversity; (4) supporting training and education which improve the capacity of recipient countries to prevent loss of biological diversity; and (5) the denial of any assistance for actions which invade or significantly degrade national parks or similar protected areas. Requires the annual report to the Congress on foreign aid programs to include a report on implementation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1985
Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to eliminate the second concurrent resolution on the budget and thus provide for the annual adoption of a single concurrent resolution on the budget (budget resolution). Sets forth maximum Federal budget deficit amounts for each of fiscal years 1986 through 1990 providing for the incremental reduction of the deficit to zero by 1990. Prohibits either House of Congress from considering or adopting a budget resolution or a revision thereof providing for budget outlays exceeding revenues by more than the prescribed maximum deficit amount. Requires the Congress to complete action on any reconciliation bill or resolution to: (1) an original budget resolution by June 15 of each year; or (2) a revised budget resolution within 30 days after the revision is adopted. Provides that no amendment that would increase specific budget outlays or reduce specific revenues set forth in a budget resolution or reconciliation bill as reported shall be in order in the House or the Senate, unless such amendment provides for offsetting adjustments in other outlays and revenues to ensure that total outlays are not increased and total revenues are not reduced. Requires each Senate and House committee to report its subdivisions of allocated budget outlays and new budget authority within ten legislative days after the budget resolution is agreed to. Makes it out of order for the House or the Senate, after the Congress has completed action on the budget resolution for a fiscal year, to consider legislation that, if enacted, would: (1) provide for or require budget outlays or new budget authority in excess of the appropriate committee allocation reported in connection with such resolution, unless the legislation is favorably reported by the Committee on Appropriations of the House involved with a certification that the appropriate committee will take actions necessary to assure that enactment of such legislation will not result in a deficit exceeding the maximum deficit amount applicable; or (2) provide for new budget authority or spending authority or reduce revenues so that the resulting deficit would exceed the maximum deficit amount applicable. Requires the conference report on any legislation providing new budget authority or new or increased tax expenditures to disclose the information required to be disclosed in committee reports on such legislation. Requires the Federal budget transmitted to the Congress by the President each year, and revisions thereof, to set forth levels of outlays and revenues resulting in a deficit not in excess of the applicable maximum deficit amount. Permits the President to transmit alternative budgets satisfying such requirement. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and the Director of the Congressional Budget Office: (1) to estimate the levels of total revenues and budget levels for each fiscal year; (2) to estimate the rate of real economic growth during that year; (3) to determine whether the deficit for such year will exceed the applicable maximum deficit amount and whether such excess is statistically significant; and (4) if either Director determines that the maximum deficit amount will be exceeded, to submit a report to the President and the Congress specifying the amount of such excess, whether it is statistically significant, the estimated rate of real economic growth for that year, and the percentages by which automatic spending increases and relatively controllable expenditures shall be reduced during such year in order to eliminate such excess. Requires the President, upon receiving such a report, to: (1) issue an order that eliminates one-half of such excess by suspending or uniformly reducing (not below zero) automatic spending increases under Federal law for such year and the other half by sequestering such amounts of budget authority as are necessary to reduce each relatively controllable expenditure by a uniform percentage; and (2) send a message to both Houses of Congress identifying the total amount and percentage by which automatic spending increases are to be reduced, the total amount of budget authority to be sequestered, the amount of budget authority to be sequestered for each relatively controllable expenditure, and the account, department, establishment, project, or function affected by the cut in budget authority. (Authorizes the President to issue such an order if the reported excess is not statistically significant.) Directs the President to issue such order: (1) within 14 days after receiving such report if the estimate for real economic growth for the fiscal year is zero or greater; or (2) within 30 days if the estimate for real economic growth is less than zero. Authorizes the President, during such 30-day period, to submit to the Congress a joint resolution to: (1) reduce the deficit to an amount not exceeding the applicable maximum deficit amount; or (2) suspend the requirements of this Act for such fiscal year. Permits the President's message to the Congress to include alternative ways to reduce the deficit to an amount not exceeding the maximum deficit amount. Permits the Committee on the Budget of the House or the Senate, within ten days after the President has issued such an order, to report a joint resolution superseding such order. Makes it out of order for the House or the Senate to consider or agree to any such resolution which, if enacted, would cause the fiscal year deficit to exceed the maximum deficit amount. Sets forth House and Senate procedures for consideration of such a resolution. Waives specified provisions of this Act in any fiscal year for which a declaration of war has been enacted. Makes this Act applicable through FY 1990.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 1985
National Security and Trade Act of 1985 - Amends the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to require the President to implement the recommendations contained in a certain report by the Secretary of Commerce with respect to imports that threaten national security if the President has made no determination and taken no action on such report within 90 days of receiving it. Requires the President to issue a proclamation on the date of enactment of this Act that implements the recommendations of the Secretary in such report if: (1) the President did not by September 26, 1985, make a specified determination with respect to such a report that was received before March 15, 1984; (2) the President did not take any action on such report before September 20, 1985; and (3) the President has not, before the enactment of this Act, negotiated an agreement restraining imports of the articles that are the subjects of such report with any country whose exports to the United States during the year preceding enactment of this Act exceeded 30 percent of the total value of such articles imported by all countries into the United States during such year.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1985
Unfair Foreign Competition Act of 1985 - Amends the Clayton Act to include a specified antidumping provision among U.S. antitrust laws. Amends such antidumping provision of the Unfair Competition Act of 1916 to allow any person who is injured in her or his property or business by the sale or importation of an article made in a foreign country to bring a civil action against the manufacturer, exporter, or related importer of such article if: (1) the article is imported or sold in the United States at less than its foreign market or constructed value; and (2) such sale or importation causes or threatens material injury to U.S. industry or labor or prevents the establishment or modernization of U.S. industry. (Currently, the cause of such an action is predicated on the intent of the importer to injure or prevent the establishment of U.S. industry or to monopolize trade.) Restricts the court jurisdiction of such an action to the district court of the District of Columbia or the Court of International Trade. Entitles a prevailing plaintiff in such an action to appropriate equitable relief or, if such relief is inadequate, to compensatory damages, and legal expenses (currently, treble damages and legal expenses). Declares that the standard of proof in such an action is a preponderance of the evidence. Places the burden of proof for rebutting a prima facie case on the defendant. Includes within the meaning of prima facie case a finding by the International Trade Commission (ITC) that dumping exists. Authorizes the court to: (1) issue subpoenas to be enforced in any judicial district; (2) enjoin importation of articles allegedly dumped pending the defendant's compliance with any court order; (3) review, in camera, confidential or privileged material; (4) accept material under seal; and (5) disclose such material. Requires expedited treatment of such actions. Sets a four-year statute of limitations for actions under this Act. Requires the foreign market value or constructed value of an article to include the amount of any subsidy provided to the manufacturer, producer, or exporter of the article. Expresses the sense of the Congress that this Act is consistent with the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. Allows any person who is injured in his or her business or property by the fraudulent, grossly negligent, or negligent entry or introduction of merchandise into U.S. commerce to bring a civil action in the district court of the District of Columbia or the Court of International Trade, without respect to the amount in controversy. Entitles a person prevailing in such an action to appropriate equitable relief or, if such relief is inadequate, compensatory damages, and legal expenses. Permits the United States to intervene in an action under this Act as a matter of right. Subjects any court order under this Act to nullification by the President pursuant to authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1985
Amends the Federal criminal code to provide that any person convicted of espionage shall forfeit to the United States any money or other property involved in or obtained as a result of such espionage activities. Provides that where such money or property is unavailable for forfeiture, the person convicted of such crime must forfeit property up to the value of the property gained from the espionage activity. Permits the courts to order the forfeiture of proceeds received or to be received from a contract relating to the depiction of such offense in a movie, book, newspaper, magazine, radio or television production, or live entertainment or presentation of any kind. Authorizes the Attorney General to pay a reward not to exceed $100,000 for information leading to the arrest or conviction of persons committing espionage, or leading to the prevention, frustration, or mitigation of the effect of an act of espionage. Disqualifies an officer or employee of the United States or of any State or local government while performing official duties from receiving such a reward.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that, in accordance with the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe and other specified human rights agreements, the Soviet Union should: (1) drop all charges against Elena Bonner and restore the rights to travel and free expression to her and Doctor Sakharov; (2) allow correspondence between them and their relatives; and (3) allow Alexei Semyonov permission to visit them in the Soviet Union. Urges the President to protest Soviet violations of the Sakharovs' rights and to call upon other signatory nations of the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe to join such protests.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1985
Commends Pete Rose on becoming the all-time Major League leader in base hits. Recognizes his accomplishments and the inspirational manner in which he has played baseball.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1985
Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to exclude the employees of States and local governments from the provisions of that Act relating to maximum hours. Revises the definition of "employee" under that Act to exclude any volunteer for a State, local, or interstate public agency, even if such volunteer is paid expenses or a nominal fee to perform the voluntary services.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1985
Expresses the sense of the Senate that it condemns the growing incidence of violence against health care facilities (most of which provide abortion services). Encourages the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and the Department of Justice to intensify their efforts and apprehend and convict the perpetrators of such violence. Urges the Department of Justice to use all applicable Federal criminal statutes against such persons.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1985
Expresses the sense of the Senate that there must be a concerted effort on the part of Federal agencies with flood control mandates to cooperate with State and local governments to mitigate the consequences of the high water levels on the Great Lakes.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1985
Amends the General Education Provisions Act to increase by two the number of members of the Assessment Policy Committee (who are appointed by the National Assessment of Educational Progress organization for purposes of its assessment of the performance of children and young adults in the basic skills of reading, mathematics, and communication, under its grant from or cooperative agreement with the National Institute of Education). Provides that one of these two new members shall be an elementary school principal and the other shall be a secondary school principal.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1985
Agency Accountability Act of 1985 - Requires each Federal agency to: (1) prepare a semiannual agenda listing significant rules to be proposed during the next twelve months; and (2) transmit such agenda to the appropriate congressional committee. Directs each agency to forward a copy of each recommended final rule to the Secretary of the Senate and Clerk of the House of Representatives on the same day such rule is sent to the Federal Register for publication. Requires the Secretary and the Clerk to transmit a copy of a recommended final rule to the appropriate committees. Prohibits any such rule from becoming effective within 30 days after it is received by the Secretary and the Clerk. Provides that if before the expiration of such 30 day period, either appropriate committee orders reported or is discharged from consideration of a joint resolution with respect to such rule, such rule may not become effective until the earlier of: (1) the end of the 60 day period beginning on the date of which the committee ordered reported or is discharged from consideration of such joint resolution, except that such rule may not become effective if within such 60 day period a joint resolution with respect to such rule has become law; (2) any time after either House of Congress has rejected a joint resolution with respect to such rule; or (3) the adjournment of Congress sine die at the end of a Congress, except that such rule may not become effective if a period of 30 days has not expired since the date on which the rule was received by the appropriate committees and within such 30 day period a joint resolution with respect to such rule has become law. Permits the requirements of this Act to be waived if the head of an agency, upon written notice to the appropriate committee finds: (1) that to follow the requirements would be contrary to the public interest; (2) the rule is being issued in response to exceptional circumstances requiring immediate agency action in the public interest; or (3) the contents of the rule must be kept confidential prior to the effective date of the rule. Exempts agency compliance from judicial review. Authorizes an agency to issue a recommended final rule which relates to the same acts or practices as a disapproved rule. Requires such rule to be transmitted to the Secretary and the Clerk in the same manner as required for other rules under this Act. Amends the Administrative Procedure Act to require the rulemaking procedures of such Act to be followed in the case of an interpretive rule, a general statement of policy, or a rule of agency organization, procedure, or practice, if such rule or statement has general applicability and substantially alters or creates rights or obligations of persons outside the agency.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1985
Declares that the Senate agrees to cooperate with the Jacob K. Javits Senate Fellowship Program. Directs the Senate to provide assistance as may be necessary for the success of this fellowship program.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1985
(Reported jointly to Senate from Committees on Armed Services; & Governmental Affairs with amendment,S.Rept.99-36) Declares a named individual to have been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1985
Authorizes the Administrator of Veterans Affairs to modify certain land use conditions with respect to real property conveyed to Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, by the Administrator.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1985
Improved Standards for Laboratory Animals Act - Amends the Animal Welfare Act to revise the humane standards for animals transported in commerce. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to promulgate standards to govern the humane handling, care, treatment, and transportation of animals by dealers, research facilities, and exhibitors. Requires each research facility to establish an institutional animal committee with sufficient expertise to assess the appropriateness of animal care and treatment in experimental research. Requires the committee at each facility to: (1) inspect at least semiannually all animal study areas and animal facilities at the research facility; (2) file an inspection certification report of each inspection at the research facility; (3) notify the administrative representative of the research facility of any deficiencies; and (4) notify the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the funding Federal agency if such deficiencies remain uncorrected. Requires each research facility to provide for annual training in the humane treatment of animals for scientists, animal technicians, and other personnel involved with animal care and treatment in such facility. Directs the Secretary to establish an information service at the National Agricultural Library to provide information on improved methods of animal experimentation, including: (1) employee training; (2) preventing unnecessary duplication of animal experimentation; (3) reducing or replacing animal use; and (4) minimizing pain and distress. Requires a funding Federal agency to suspend or revoke Federal Support for a project if it is determined that conditions of animal care, treatment, or practice in a particular project have not been in compliance with standards promulgated under this Act. Requires the Secretary to inspect each research facility at least once each year. Requires such follow-up inspections as may be necessary until all deficiencies which may be found are corrected. Imposes penalties for the release of any confidential information or trade secrets by any member of an Institutional Animal Committee. Increases penalties for violations of the Animal Welfare Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1985
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States: (1) should not sell advanced weapons to Jordan; (2) should ensure that Israel retains its qualitative military edge in the Middle East; and (3) should focus its efforts on bringing Jordan into direct peace negotiations with Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1985
Renewable Energy and Conservation Transition Act of 1985 - Title I: Extension of Business Energy Credits - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the energy investment tax credit for solar energy property from 1985 to 1990. Sets the amount of such credit during such period at 15 percent for low temperature solar property and 25 percent for all other solar property. Extends the energy investment tax credit for wind property from 1985 to 1988. Sets the amount of such credit at: (1) ten percent during 1986 and 1987; and (2) five percent during 1988. Extends the energy investment tax credit for geothermal property and biomass property from 1985 to 1988. Extends the energy investment tax credit for ocean thermal property from 1985 to 1990. Revises the definition of "solar property" for purposes of such tax credit. Sets forth special rules for geothermal equipment to qualify for such credit. Title II: Affirmative Commitment Rule to Extend the Business Credit for Certain Long-Term Projects - Extends the time period during which an affirmative commitment must be made in order for long-term energy projects to be eligible for the energy investment tax credit. Allows such an extension: (1) from 1990 to 1993 for solar energy property; (2) from 1988 to 1990 for geothermal energy property; and (3) from 1985 to 1990 for hydroelectric generating property. Title III: Extension of Residential Energy Credits - Extends the residential energy income tax credit for solar renewable energy property from 1985 to 1990. Phases out such credit over such period of time. Provides that solar hot water systems and active space heating systems must meet certain additional standards in order to qualify for such credit. Extends the residential energy income tax credit for wind renewable energy property from 1985 to 1988. Phases out such credit over such period of time. Extends the residential energy income tax credit for geothermal renewable energy property from 1985 to 1988. Phases out such credit over such period of time. Revises the definition of geothermal deposits for purposes of such credit. Revises the definition of energy conservation expenditures for purposes of the residential energy income tax credit to limit the amounts taken into account to $700. Limits the energy conservation income tax credit to taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of less than $30,000. Title IV: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective date of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1985
Calls for a celebration of the bicentenary of the Northwest Ordinance. Expresses congressional approval of the efforts of the Northwest Ordinance Bicentennial Planning Committee to encourage commemorative activities.
![Official portrait of Sen. Kasten, Robert W., Jr. [R-WI]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/k000019_200.jpg)