United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2008
Pulmonary Fibrosis Research Enhancement Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to: (1) develop a system to collect data on pulmonary fibrosis and other interstitial lung diseases; (2) establish the National PF Registry; and (3) establish the National Pulmonary Fibrosis Advisory Board. Allows the Secretary, acting through the Director of the CDC, to provide for the collection, analysis, and reporting of data on pulmonary fibrosis and other interstitial lung diseases that can be confused with, misdiagnosed as, and progress to pulmonary fibrosis. Requires the Secretary, in developing the Registry, to: (1) expand and coordinate existing data and surveillance systems, surveys, registries, and other federal public health and environmental infrastructure; and (2) provide for research access to pulmonary fibrosis data. Directs the Secretary to ensure that epidemiological and other types of information are made available to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Requires the Director of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to expand, intensify, and coordinate Institute pulmonary fibrosis research activities. Requires the Director of CDC to prepare the National Pulmonary Fibrosis Action Plan. Requires the Secretary to: (1) convene a summit of individuals with expertise in research and care of pulmonary fibrosis to provide a detailed overview of NIH research activities and discuss potential collaborations between NIH and other federal health agencies; and (2) make information about NIH activities relating to pulmonary fibrosis publicly available.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2008
Great Lakes Legacy Reauthorization Act of 2008 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to include aquatic habitat restoration activities among activities the Great Lakes National Program Office is authorized to implement for the remediation of sediment contamination in areas of concern. Prohibits the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from implementing such a remediation project if any nonfederal sponsor has not entered into a written agreement with the Administrator under which each party agrees to carry out its responsibilities and requirements for the project. Revises provisions concerning the nonfederal share of the project costs. Requires the Administrator to implement at federal expense the initial site characterization of a project for the remediation of contaminated sediment. Repeals a prohibition against implementing a project unless the nonfederal sponsor agrees to maintain aggregate expenditures from all other sources for remediation programs in the area of concern in which the project is located at or above the average level of such expenditures in the two fiscal years preceding the date on which the project is initiated. Authorizes appropriations through FY2013 for: (1) such remediation projects; and (2) the development and use of innovative approaches, technologies, and techniques for such remediation. Limits to 20% the amount of funds appropriated for remediation projects that may be used for site characterization.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2008
Apollo Energy Independence Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide tax incentives for energy conservation and production, including provisions to: (1) make permanent the tax credit for producing electricity from renewable resources and to include marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy as a resource for purposes of such credit; (2) make permanent the energy tax credit for solar energy, fuel cell, and microturbine property; (3) allow a new energy tax credit for combined heat and power system property; (4) provide for the issuance of new clean renewable energy bonds; (5) increase the tax credit for advanced nuclear power production; (6) make permanent the tax credits for residential energy efficient property, energy efficiency existing homes, the production of energy efficient household appliances, and the tax deduction for energy efficient commercial buildings; (7) allow tax credits for new alternative motor vehicles, including qualified plug-in electric drive motor vehicles, vehicles that achieve a fuel economy standard of 100 miles per gallon, and advanced technology motor vehicles; (8) allow tax credits for the production of cellulosic biofuel and for hydrogen infrastructure costs; (9) increase and make permanent the tax credit for alternative fuel vehicle refueling property expenditures; and (10) allow employers a tax credit for providing transit passes to employees. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to provide full loan guarantees for the construction of advanced nuclear energy facilities. Establishes in the Treasury the Petroleum Reduction Trust Fund. Allocates 90% of civil penalties for automobile fuel economy violations to such Fund for retail purchases of ethanol, biodiesel, and other alternative fuels. Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) carry out research programs for onboard storage of hydrogen in light-duty motor vehicles and for the development of plug-in electric drive vehicle technology; and (2) study daily and seasonal energy costs in public schools. Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to extend the tariff duty on ethanol until December 31, 2010. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a grant program for green school construction and improvement. Sets forth revenue offset provisions, including: (1) a moratorium on earmarks in the 110th Congress; (2) establishment of fees for oil and gas leases in the Gulf of Mexico and user fees for certain food safety and inspection services; (3) a reduction in payments under the Department of Agriculture commodity program; (4) consolidation of Department of Defense exchange stores system; and (5) a limitation of universal service fund support.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2008
Afghanistan-Pakistan Security and Prosperity Enhancement Act - Authorizes the President to designate Reconstruction Opportunity Zones within Afghanistan or Pakistan, provided certain eligibility criteria are met, including that: (1) such countries establish, or make progress toward establishing, a market-based economy, instituting rule of law, protecting core labor standards, and eliminating barriers to trade and investment; (2) such countries can be designated as a beneficiary developing country; and (3) the designation of a Reconstruction Opportunity Zone is appropriate taking into account certain qualifying factors. Provides for the duty-free treatment of certain textile and apparel products, as well as nontextile and nonapparel products, from a Reconstruction Opportunity Zone through September 30, 2023. Sets forth requirements to prevent the unlawful transshipment of such products. Continues the duty-free treatment of such products from a Reconstruction Opportunity Zone in Afghanistan or Pakistan only if the President certifies to Congress that such countries have met certain requirements, including: (1) designation of a labor official; and (2) have agreed to require textile or apparel exporting enterprises to participate in a technical assistance, capacity building, compliance assessment, and remediation program. Authorizes the President to withdraw, suspend, or limit the application of duty-free treatment under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2008
Condemns the broadcast of incitement to violence against Americans and the United States by Middle East-based media. Calls on the President to: (1) designate al-Aqsa TV as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT); (2) designate as SDGTs satellite providers that knowingly contract with SDGTs to broadcast their channels for support to terrorist entities; and (3) consider state sponsorship of anti-American incitement when determining relations with, and assistance to, regional states.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2008
Commemorates Bhutan's participation in the 2008 Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Recognizes the important cultural, artistic, agricultural, and environmental achievements of Bhutan and the Bhutanese people. Commends the Bhutanese people, the government of the Kingdom of Bhutan, and His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck for their commitment to conducting parliamentary elections and transitioning from an absolute monarchy to a parliamentary democracy.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2008
Recognizes that respect for human rights is a fundamental value and that the bilateral relationship between the United States and Egypt should be a platform for promoting the rule of law and fundamental freedoms. Calls on the Egyptian government to: (1) respect human rights, minority rights, and freedoms of religion and expression; and (2) release Ayman Nour and all political activists. Welcomes Egypt's efforts to secure the border with Gaza and fight smuggling. Urges the President and the Secretary of State to put human rights and religious freedom developments in Egypt very high on the U.S. government's agenda during meetings with Egyptian officials.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2008
Amends the Bretton Woods Agreements Act to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to contribute to a Fund to promote accelerated deployment in developing countries of technologies designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Requires that such Fund be established and administered by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD). Amends the the International Financial Institutions Act to direct the Secretary to seek to ensure that each multilateral development bank adopts and implements greenhouse gas accounting in analyzing the benefits and costs of all projects for which bank funding is sought.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2008
Supports the goals and ideals of National Campus Safety Awareness Month. Encourages colleges and universities to provide campus safety and other crime awareness and prevention programs to all students throughout the year.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 2008
Horse Transportation Safety Act of 2008 - Prohibits a person from transporting a horse in interstate commerce in a motor vehicle containing two or more levels stacked on top of one another. Sets forth civil penalties for persons who knowingly violate such prohibition.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2008
Assault Weapons Ban Reauthorization Act of 2008 - Amends the federal criminal code to reinstate, for 10 years, the Public Safety and Recreational Firearms Use Protection Act's assault weapons ban to prohibit the manufacture, transfer, or possession of a semiautomatic assault weapon or a large capacity ammunition feeding device. Specifies models and features of banned weapons. Sets forth exceptions to such ban, including: (1) firearms or devices lawfully possessed under federal law on the date of enactment of this Act; (2) certain firearms, replicas, or duplicates listed in an appendix as they were manufactured on October 1, 1993; (3) any firearm that is manually operated by bolt, pump, lever, or slide action and that has been rendered permanently inoperable or that is an antique firearm; (4) any semiautomatic rifle that cannot accept a detachable magazine that holds more than five rounds of ammunition; (5) any semiautomatic shotgun that cannot hold more than five rounds in a fixed or detachable magazine; and (6) firearms manufactured for, transferred to, or possessed by a federal, state, or local government agency or for law enforcement. Requires the serial number of any weapon or device manufactured after enactment of this Act to clearly show the date of manufacture. Directs the Attorney General to study and report to Congress on the effects of this Act on violent and drug trafficking crime.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2008
Praises the efforts by those countries in Central and Eastern Europe that have enacted legislation for the restitution of, or compensation for, private and communal religious property confiscated during the Nazi and Communist eras. Urges the countries in Central and Eastern Europe that have not already done so to return confiscated properties to their rightful owners or, where restitution is not possible, pay equitable compensation. Calls on the governments of Poland and of Lithuania to enact legislation so that persons (or their heirs) whose property was confiscated during the Nazi or Communist eras are able to obtain restitution of, or compensation for, such property. Calls on the Secretary of State to report to Congress every six months, regarding implementation of this resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2008
Supports the goals and ideals of National Internet Safety Month (June 2008). Recognizes that the month provides the U.S. citizens an opportunity to learn more about being safe and responsible online. Commends national and community organizations for promoting safe Internet use and providing information and training that develops critical thinking and decision making skills needed to use the Internet safely. Calls on parents, educators, Internet safety organizations, law enforcement, community leaders, Internet service providers, and volunteers to increase their efforts to raise the level of awareness for the need for online safety.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2008
Congratulates the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on its 35th anniversary, honors the heroic sacrifice of its employees, and gives heartfelt thanks to the men and women of the DEA for their past and continued efforts to defend the American people from illegal drugs and terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2008
Expresses concern that the government of the Republic of Iraq refuses to recognize the existence of Israel and urges Iraq to recognize and establish diplomatic relations with Israel. Calls on the Administration to use its influence to persuade Iraq and other countries with which the United States has diplomatic relations to recognize the right of Israel to exist and to establish diplomatic relations with Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2008
Megan Meier Cyberbullying Prevention Act - Amends the federal criminal code to impose criminal penalties on anyone who transmits in interstate or foreign commerce a communication intended to coerce, intimidate, harass, or cause substantial emotional distress to another person, using electronic means to support severe, repeated, and hostile behavior.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2008
Protecting Our Children Online Act of 2008 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require schools and libraries that receive telecommunications services at discounted rates under specified provisions to educate minors about safe online behavior. Requires that education to include information about: (1) interacting with other individuals through social networking websites, chat rooms, electronic mail, bulletin boards, instant messaging, and other means of online communication; and (2) cyberbullying awareness and response.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2008
Honors the valedictorians and graduating seniors of the class of 2008 for their academic achievements and contributions to their communities. Encourages all valedictorians and graduating seniors to continue their studies. Supports the continued social engagement of valedictorians and graduating seniors.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2008
Honors Lieutenant Colonel John M. Shimkus for his service of over 28 years on the occasion of his retirement from the Army Reserve. Commends Lieutenant Colonel Shimkus for his dedication and commitment to excellence. Recognizes the tremendous dedication and fortitude with which Lieutenant Colonel Shimkus has led an exemplary career in public service, three times the citizen, having balanced his time in the Army Reserve with his duties as husband, father, businessman, community leader, high school teacher, citizen-soldier, and Congressman with consummate professionalism and boundless devotion to each. Recognizes Lieutenant Colonel Shimkus as a soldier, leader, and statesman, for displaying the highest levels of leadership, professional competence, integrity, and moral courage throughout his military service.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2008
Declares that preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability through economic, political, and diplomatic means is vital to U.S. national security. Urges the President to use his authority to impose sanctions on: (1) Iranian banks engaged in proliferation activities or the support of terrorist groups; (2) international banks which conduct financial transactions with proscribed Iranian banks; (3) energy companies with large investments in the Iranian petroleum or natural gas sector; and (4) all companies which do business with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Demands that the President initiate an international effort to increase economic, political, and diplomatic pressure on Iran to suspend its nuclear enrichment activities. Urges the President to lead a regional diplomatic effort to support the legitimate governments in the region against Iranian destabilization efforts.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2008
Fiscal Integrity through Transparency (FIT) Act of 2008 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to make it out of order in the House of Representatives or in the Senate to consider any budget resolution for any fiscal year if the percentage increase for the projected total outlays compared to the projected total outlays for the preceding fiscal year exceeds the allowable growth percentage, as determined according to a specified formula. Requires a super majority vote in either chamber to waive or suspend such prohibition. Requires federal departments and agencies to report annually to the Comptroller General, and federal intelligence departments and agencies and their intelligence-related divisions to report annually to the House Select Committee on Intelligence, on total department or agency operating costs for the year, with a separate statement detailing waste, fraud, and abuse during such year. Requires each federal department or agency to design and implement a plan to reduce its operational costs from $.36 to $.15 of every $1.00 appropriated to it (or reduce such costs by 41.67%) through the use of new technologies and standard management practices. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to include, on each federal tax return, a statement of the aggregate dollar amount of waste, fraud, and abuse by all federal departments and agencies for the most recent year accounted for. Requires all requests for earmarks received by the congressional appropriations committtees or subcommittees to be posted on their respective websites at least 14 calendar days before mark-up of the applicable measure. Requires each such posting to include the name of the requesting Member, the cost of the earmark, and a justification of its need.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2008
Pediatric Research Consortia Establishment Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), acting through the Director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, to award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements for planning, establishing, and providing basic operating support for up to 20 national pediatric research consortia. Requires each such consortium to: (1) supplement, but not replace, the establishment of a comprehensive pediatric research portfolio; (2) conduct basic, clinical, behavioral, social, and translational research; and (3) conduct training and demonstration of advanced diagnostic and treatment methods relating to pediatrics. Requires the Director of NIH to provide for the coordination of information and ensure regular communication between consortia.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2008
Green Schools Act - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a program awarding matching grants to local educational agencies for green school construction and improvement projects that create healthy learning environments while saving natural resources and money. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend, through 2012, the Qualified Zone Academy Bond program (which provides tax credits to the holders of such bonds, which in turn finance low or no interest loans for the improvement of public schools serving low-income areas). Requires public school rehabilitation, repair, or equipment financed through such bonds to serve the green goals of creating healthy learning environments while saving natural resources and money.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2008
Demands that U.N. Security Council Resolutions 1559, 1680, 1701, and 1747 concerning Lebanon be implemented. Calls for the immediate election of a Lebanese president in accordance with the Lebanese constitution. Expresses: (1) support for the legitimate government of Prime Minister Fuad Siniora and the extension of its authority throughout Lebanon; (2) support for a democratic Lebanon; (3) support for United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) troops; (4) concern that the international community's failure to live up to its commitments to stop Hezbollah's rearmament could once again lead to war; and (5) commitment to the release of the abducted Israeli soldiers. Condemns Iran and Syria for sponsoring and arming terrorist organizations internationally and within Lebanon.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2008
Supports the goals and ideals of a National Guard Youth Challenge Day to improve the education, life skills, and employment potential of America's high school dropouts though public awareness, scholarships, higher education assistance, mentoring, and job development programs.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 2008
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 219 East Main Street in West Frankfort, Illinois, as the "Kenneth James Gray Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 2008
Expresses the commitment of Congress to make it a priority to fight anti-Semitism and to promote tolerance at home and abroad. States that it shall be U.S. policy to consider whether a foreign government actively or passively foments anti-Semitism when evaluating bilateral relationships. Condemns the continuing anti-Israel and anti-Semitic activities and rhetoric at the United Nations. Calls on: (1) the President to use U.S. influence to prevent the use of the United Nations regular budget to support the planned 2009 Durban Review Conference; and (2) the Secretary General of the United Nations to officially and publicly condemn any anti-Semitic statements made at U.N. meetings.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 2008
Extends condolences and sympathy to the people of the People's Republic of China (PRC) for the loss of life and destruction caused by the earthquake centered in Sichuan Province. Vows full support for the people of the PRC as well as the members of the Chinese American community who have relatives in the affected areas.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 2008
Declares that the United States, through the International Whaling Commission, should: (1) use all appropriate measures to end commercial whaling, including scientific, special permit, coastal, and community-based whaling; (2) oppose any initiative that would result in any new, Commission-sanctioned coastal or community-based whaling, even if it is portrayed as noncommercial, including commercial whaling by coastal communities that does not qualify as aboriginal subsistence whaling; and (3) seek to strengthen conservation and management measures.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2008
Clean Global War on Terror Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 - Makes emergency supplemental FY2008 appropriations for specified activities related to the war on terror, international affairs, and national defense matters to the Departments of Agriculture (including food relief to certain foreign countries), of Justice, of Defense (military, including funds for Afghan and Iraqi security forces), of Defense (military construction), and of State (including international peacekeeping activities). Rescinds certain funds made available in: (1) the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007 for the Defense Health Program; and (2) the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008 for the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Fund. Makes additional supplemental appropriations for the war on terror, international affairs, and national defense matters to the Departments of Agriculture (including food relief to certain foreign countries), of Justice, of Defense (military, including funds for Afghan and Iraqi security forces), and of State and related agencies. Designates each amount in this Act as an emergency requirement.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2008
Eradicating Asian Carp in the Great Lakes Study Act of 2007 [ sic ]- Requires the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to study and report to Congress on methods for eradicating Asian carp from the Illinois Waterway System, including harvesting them from the Illinois River, and repopulating the River with native species.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2008
Creating Opportunities to Motivate Mass-transit Utilization to Encourage Ridership Act of 2008 or the Commuter Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow employers a refundable tax credit for 50% of the cost of transit passes provided on a tax-free basis to employees.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2008
Expresses support for the designation of National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. Encourages increased awareness about the prevalence of asthma and allergies and the disparities in asthma cases based on race, ethnicity, and economic status. Recognizes: (1) health care professionals that treat asthma- and allergy-related health issues; and (2) the nation's commitment to continued education surrounding asthma and allergy treatment and symptoms and to advancing care for both conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2008
Student Enhancement Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax deduction, up to $10,000 per year, for supplemental education expenses. Defines "supplemental education expenses" as expenses not required for the a student's enrollment or attendance at an elementary or secondary school that are for academic tutoring designed to supplement or enhance the student's education and related books, supplies, and equipment.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2008
Clean Energy Tax Stimulus Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend certain tax incentives for energy production and conservation. Extends through 2009 the tax credit for the production of electricity from renewable resources (e.g., biomass, geothermal energy, landfill gas, and trash combustion). Includes marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy as a renewable resource eligible for such credit. Allows sales of electricity produced from renewable resources to regulated public utilities. Extends through 2016 the energy investment tax credit for solar energy, fuel cell, and microturbine property. Repeals the dollar per kilowatt limitation for fuel cell property under the energy investment tax credit. Allows public electric utilities to qualify for such credit. Extends through 2009 the tax credit for residential energy efficient property expenditures. Repeals the $2,000 limitation on the tax credit for solar electric property. Allows an offset against the alternative minimum tax (AMT) of tax credit amounts. Extends through 2009 the tax credit for investment in clean renewable energy bonds. Increases the national limitation amount for such bonds. Extends through 2009 deferral provisions relating to the recognition of gain by certain electric utilities. Extends through 2009 the tax credit for nonbusiness energy property. Includes residential biomass fuel stoves (pellet stoves) as eligible energy property for purposes of such credit. Extends through 2010 the tax credit for energy efficient new homes. Extends through 2009 the tax deduction for energy efficient commercial buildings and increases the allowable amount of such deduction. Extends the tax credit for energy efficient appliances to include appliances produced in 2008, 2009, and 2010. Revises and updates energy efficiency standards for such appliances in accordance with the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2008
International Violence Against Women Act of 2008 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to establish in the Department of State the Office of Women's Global Initiatives (which shall replace the Office of International Women's Issues) to coordinate U.S. government efforts respecting international women's issues. Establishes within the Department an Advisory Commission on International Violence Against Women. Directs the President to develop a comprehensive strategy to prevent violence against women and girls. Directs the Coordinator of the Women's Global Initiatives to ensure that foreign assistance programs incorporate measures to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls. Provides that U.S. training of foreign military and police forces incorporates training on prevention of violence against women and girls. Directs the Department and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to assist programs that prevent and respond to violence against women and girls in all humanitarian relief, conflict, and post-conflict operations. Directs the Secretary of State to: (1) encourage U.N. member states to expand the number of female members of U.N. peacekeeping missions; and (2) take emergency measures to respond to violence against women and girls during conflict or post-conflict operations. Expresses the sense of Congress that the United Nations should strengthen its ability to prevent violence against women and girls by U.N. military and civilian personnel. Provides that Foreign Service training include instruction on prevention of violence against women and girls. Authorizes appropriations to support the United Nations Development Fund for Women Trust Fund in Support of Actions to Eliminate Violence Against Women.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2008
Commuter Aid and Relief for Suburbs Act of 2008 or the CARS Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual taxpayers a tax deduction for a specified percentage of the cost of commuting between their residence and place of employment.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2008
Recognizes: (1) on its 60th anniversary year the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a singular achievement of the community of nations; and (2) the contribution in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution to the development of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Urges all U.N. member states to uphold the principles of human dignity enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, especially on behalf of the world's most vulnerable persons.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2008
Boy Scouts of America Centennial Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue up to 350,000 $1 coins in commemoration of the centennial of the founding of the Boy Scouts of America. Requires the coin design to be emblematic of the 100 years of the organization. Restricts issuance of such coins to February 8 through December 31, 2010. Subjects coin sales to a surcharge of $10 per coin. Requires payment of such surcharges to the National Boy Scouts of America Foundation, to be made available to local councils in the form of grants for the extension of Scouting in hard-to-serve areas.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2008
Homeownership Protection and Housing Market Stabilization Act of 2008 - Sets forth a licensing and registry system for residential mortgage loan originators. Amends the Truth in Lending Act to require additional creditor disclosures on residential mortgage loans. Expand and Preserve Home Ownership Through Counseling Act - Amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act to establish the Office of Housing Counseling in the Office of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Amends the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 to grant community investment credit for certain lender practices. Expanding American Homeownership Act of 2008 - Amends the National Housing Act to revise the single family mortgage insurance program under the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), including Hawaiian home lands and Indian reservations, and home equity conversion (reverse) mortgages. Amends the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 to grant a temporary increase in the maximum loan guaranty amount for veterans' housing loans guaranteed by Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Directs the Secretary of Defense to implement a mortgage foreclosure prevention counseling program for members of the Armed Forces returning from active duty abroad. Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to extend the period of protection against mortgage foreclosures. Amends the Truth in Lending Act to: (1) require escrow and impound accounts for periodic payments for certain credit transactions; and (2) set forth property appraisal requirements. Authorizes appropriations for federal prosecution of mortgage fraud. Federal Housing Finance Reform Act of 2008 - Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 to establish: (1) the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to exercise oversight authority over the Federal Home Loan Banks, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), and the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) (enterprises) ; and (2) the Federal Housing Enterprise Board. Prescribes: (1) minimum and critical capital levels for regulated entities; and (2) special enforcement powers. Requires the FHFA Director to establish standards for enterprise assets and liabilities. Abolishes: (1) the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight; and (2) the Federal Housing Finance Board. Transfers their functions, personnel, and property to the FHFA. Terminates enterprise-related functions of HUD.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2008
Condemns the restrictions on freedom of the press and expression in the Arab world and the widespread presence of anti-Semitic material, Holocaust denial, and incitement to violence in the Arab media. Expresses concern that many of the Arab governments to which United States has turned for assistance in ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are responsible for using their government-controlled media to promulgate incendiary speech regarding Israel and the Jewish people that makes U.S. efforts to help resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict all the more difficult. Calls on the President, the Secretary of State, and all U.S. ambassadors to Arab countries to protest the lack of freedom of thought and expression.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2008
Thanks and promotes the teaching profession to encourage students, parents, school administrators, and public officials to participate in National Teacher Appreciation Week, May 4-May 10, 2008.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 2008
Coordinated American Response To Extreme Radicals Act - Prohibits funds from being made available for assistance to the Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia. Rescinds all amounts appropriated by the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2008 for assistance to the Carter Center, and makes rescinded amounts available for assistance to U.S. victims of terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 2008
Hubbard Act - Amends federal employment, armed forces, military pay, and veterans' benefits law to authorize the provision of the following benefits to a member of the Armed Forces who is discharged at the member's request pursuant to a Department of Defense (DOD) policy permitting the early discharge of a member who is the only surviving child in a family in which the father or mother, or one or more siblings, served in the Armed Forces and, incident to such service, was killed, died as a result of wounds, accident, or disease, is in a captured or missing in action status, or is permanently disabled: (1) continued payment, through the original agreed-upon service period, of any bonus, incentive, or similar benefit to which the member was entitled during service; (2) separation pay, even though the member has completed less than six years of active service before discharge; (3) transitional health care, on the same basis as an active-duty member, for 180 days after discharge; (4) transitional commissary and exchange benefits, on the same basis as an active-duty member, for two years after discharge; (5) veterans' housing loan, employment and training, and basic educational assistance; (6) federal unemployment compensation; and (7) veteran's preference for federal employment purposes. Makes this Act effective with respect to any such discharge granted after September 11, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 2008
Keeping America's Food Safe Act of 2008 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require: (1) certification of any food safety laboratory or a sampling service that is analyzing, testing, or collecting samples of imported food; and (2) such laboratories or services to submit to the Secretary of Health and Human Services the results of all tests conducted on behalf of an importer. Sets forth civil penalties for: (1) an importer that knowingly engages in the falsification of test results submitted to the Secretary; and (2) a laboratory or service that knowingly submits false test results to the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to establish a certification program to ensure that imported food meets the food safety standards applied to food produced in the United States. Prohibits food from being permitted entry into the United States from a foreign facility in a foreign country unless there are certifications from the facility and country. Sets forth certification requirements for foreign countries. Requires the Secretary to develop and maintain a website that: (1) provides information on federal food standards and best practice requirements for food preparation; (2) assists health professionals to improve their ability to diagnose and treat food-related illness and advise individuals whose health conditions place them at particular risk; and (3) promotes public awareness of food safety issues. Directs the Secretary to develop and maintain a website to provide the public with appropriate information on developing school curricula regarding food safety issues. Establishes whistle-blower's protections.
![Official portrait of Sen. Kirk, Mark Steven [R-IL]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/k000360_200.jpg)