United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2012
Celebrates the 150th anniversary of the signing of the First Morrill Act by President Abraham Lincoln. Affirms the importance of the land-grant institutions which are the product of the commitment to U.S. higher education that the First Morrill Act represents. Requests that the Secretary of the Senate transmit to the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities an enrolled copy of this resolution for appropriate display.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2012
Celebrates the accomplishments of title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, also known as the Patsy Takemoto Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act, in increasing opportunities for women and girls in all facets of education. Reaffirms the Act's commitment to and continued importance in: (1) ending discrimination against women and girls in elementary, secondary, and higher education; and (2) providing them with equal opportunities in athletics.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2012
Designates June 19 as an annual day of patriotic and national observance for Juneteenth Independence Day. (On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, with news that the Civil War had ended and that the enslaved African Americans were free.) Requests that the President issue a proclamation each year calling on state and local governments and the people of the United States to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies, programs, and activities.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2012
Recognizes the historical significance to the nation, and supports the continued celebration, of Juneteenth Independence Day (June 19, 1865, the day Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, with news that the Civil War had ended and that the enslaved African Americans were free). Declares the sense of the Senate that: (1) history should be regarded as a means for understanding the past and solving the challenges of the future, and (2) the celebration of the end of slavery is an important and enriching part of the history and heritage of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2012
Go Global Act of 2012 - Amends the Small Business Act to allow the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to employ additional export finance specialists in the 15 states with the greatest volume of exports, as determined through a study required under the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010. Directs the Administrator to develop a program to cross-train export finance specialists: (1) with personnel within the SBA's Office of International Trade (Office) on the export financing programs of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS); and (2) with personnel within such Office, small business development centers, women's business centers, the Service Corps of Retired Executives, export assistance centers, and other SBA resource partners on the export assistance and business counseling programs of the USDA. Requires: (1) information on loans provided through programs of the USDA and FAS to be included in a required annual SBA list of export finance lenders, and (2) an annual SBA list of rural export assistance resources. Directs the Administrator to establish a program to register export management companies and export trading companies. Requires the Office to encourage the participation of SBA employees and resource partners in reverse trade missions hosted or sponsored by the federal government. Authorizes the Administrator to waive section 7(a) (general small business loans) loan fees in the case of a small business: (1) exporting for the first time, or (2) certified as eligible to apply for trade adjustment assistance under the Trade Act of 1974. Requires the Administrator to report to the small business committees, in each of FY2013-FY2016, on such fee waivers. Provides a specified reallocation of funds from the Community Adjustment and Investment Program to the SBA's Export Expansion Investment Program. Amends the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 to add the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to the list of U.S. territories and possessions eligible for SBA grants to carry out export programs that assist certain small businesses. Expresses the sense of Congress in support of: (1) small business representation on international trade promotion advisory panels, councils, and boards; and (2) detailing SBA staff to other federal agencies for training on export assistance programs. Directs the SBA's Associate Administrator for International Trade to: (1) develop and maintain a small business trade strategy to be included within the government-wide strategic plan for federal trade promotion, and (2) report annually to the small business committees on such strategy. Requires the Administrator to report to such committees on any SBA memoranda of understanding entered into and their benefit to small businesses.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2012
Master Limited Partnerships Parity Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the tax treatment of publicly traded partnerships as corporations, to expand the definition of "qualifying income" for such partnerships to include income and gains from renewable and alternative fuels (in addition to fossil fuels), including renewable energy facilities used in the production of electricity, biodiesel, alcohol used as fuels, and renewable fuels used to reduce or replace fossil fuels present in transportation fuels.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2012
Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to revise the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Program to: (1) limit grants by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to no more than 75% of project costs; and (2) authorize the appropriation of $20 million or the lowest amount appropriated to carry out such Program for any of the preceding five fiscal years, whichever is less, for each of FY2013-FY2017.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2012
Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments of 2012 - Amends the Egg Products Inspection Act to revise housing and treatment of egg-laying hens and related enforcement provisions. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to delegate to the California Department of Food and Agriculture certain enforcement authority with respect to eggs produced, shipped, handled, transported or received in California prior to the date that is 18 years after the date of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2012
Expanding Access to Capital for Entrepreneurial Leaders Act or EXCEL Act - Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to authorize the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to guarantee the payment of up to $4 billion per fiscal year for debentures or participating securities issued by small business investment companies (SBICs) to encourage the formation and growth of small businesses. Increases the maximum amount of outstanding leverage for two or more commonly-controlled SBICs. Authorizes annual inflationary adjustments of such limits. Directs the Administrator to make publicly available on the SBA website specified fiscal and related information with respect to each SBIC. Allows SBIC licensing fees to be used by the SBA for SBIC program needs other than the costs of licensing examinations. Expresses the sense of Congress that SBICs would benefit from partnerships with community banks and other lenders, and that the Administrator should: (1) increase outreach to such banks and lenders for investment in SBICs; (2) use the Internet to publicize which SBICs are soliciting and making investments in small businesses; (3) partner with governors, mayors, states, and municipalities to increase outreach by SBICs to underserved and rural areas; and (4) revise and update the SBIC program webpage to make it more prominent and user-friendly.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2012
Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate to make arrangements for the presentation of a congressional gold medal to Jack Nicklaus in recognition of his service to the nation in promoting excellence and good sportsmanship. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike such gold medal and to strike and sell duplicate bronze medals at a price sufficient to cover the costs of the gold and bronze medals.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2012
Accelerating the End of Breast Cancer Act of 2012 - Establishes the Commission to Accelerate the End of Breast Cancer to help end breast cancer by January 1, 2020. Directs the Commission to: (1) identify opportunities and ideas within the public and private sectors, basic and applied sciences, and epidemiology that can be turned into real world strategies to prevent breast cancer and breast cancer metastasis; (2) recommend projects to leverage such opportunities and ideas in the areas of the primary prevention of breast cancer and the causes and prevention of breast cancer metastasis; (3) promote ideas that are intellectually compelling and innovative; (4) accelerate potentially transformational scientific advances that are not being prioritized within the federal government and that are unlikely to be achieved by the private sector; (5) identify promising but underdeveloped areas of research that would benefit from a cluster of support from government, industry, and academia to rapidly advance knowledge into practices; (6) create opportunities for transdisciplinary, cross-cutting collaborations; (7) submit its strategic vision within six months after its initial members are appointed; and (8) ensure that its activities are coordinated with, and do not duplicate the efforts of, programs and laboratories of other government agencies. Directs the President to enter into an agreement with the Institute of Medicine for an evaluation of the Commission's progress. Establishes the Accelerating the End of Breast Cancer Fund to carry out this Act. Terminates the Commission on June 1, 2020.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2012
Reaffirms that the U.S. government and the governments of other responsible countries have a vital interest in working together to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability. Warns that time is limited to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability. Urges economic and diplomatic pressure on Iran until it implements: (1) suspension of uranium enrichment-related and reprocessing activities and is in compliance with U.N. Security Council resolutions, (2) cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) concerning Iran's nuclear activities, and (3) a permanent agreement that verifiably assures that Iran's nuclear program is peaceful. Supports: (1) the P5+1 process, (2) the universal rights and democratic aspirations of the people of Iran, and (3) U.S. policy to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability. Joins the President in ruling out any policy that would rely on containment as an option in response to the Iranian nuclear threat. States that nothing in this resolution shall be construed as an authorization for the use of force or a declaration of war.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2012
Expresses profound sorrow and deep regret regarding the death of the Honorable James Abdnor, former member of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives for South Dakota, on May 16, 2012. Declares that when the Senate adjourns on May 24, 2012, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of the former Member of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2012
Families for Foster Youth Stamp Act of 2012 - Requires the United States Postal Service, for a period of at least four years, to provide for the issuance and sale of a semipostal in order to increase funding for effective programs targeted at improving permanency outcomes for youth in foster care. Divides the amount received from such sales equally between: (1) programs and activities under the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment and Adoption Reform Act of 1978 that specifically target improvement in permanency outcomes for youth in foster care through adoption, guardianship, or kinship care; and (2) the program for state courts to assess and improve handling of proceedings relating to foster care and adoption.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2012
Commends the exemplary and courageous service and sacrifice of each of the patriotic women of the United States who served in American Red Cross Clubmobiles during the Second World War, providing coffee, doughnuts, and a connection to home to U.S. soldiers. Honors Clubmobile women who lost their lives during such War. Calls upon War historians to recognize and describe the service of the Clubmobiles and to not let this important piece of U.S. history be lost. Urges the American Red Cross to publicly commemorate the stories of the Clubmobiles and the women who served in them.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2012
Paycheck Fairness Act - Amends the portion of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA) known as the Equal Pay Act to revise remedies for, enforcement of, and exceptions to prohibitions against sex discrimination in the payment of wages. Revises the exception to the prohibition for a wage rate differential based on any other factor other than sex. Limits such factors to bona fide factors, such as education, training, or experience. States that the bona fide factor defense shall apply only if the employer demonstrates that such factor: (1) is not based upon or derived from a sex-based differential in compensation, (2) is job-related with respect to the position in question, and (3) is consistent with business necessity. Makes such defense inapplicable where the employee demonstrates that: (1) an alternative employment practice exists that would serve the same business purpose without producing such differential, and (2) the employer has refused to adopt such alternative practice. Revises the prohibition against employer retaliation for employee complaints. Prohibits retaliation for inquiring about, discussing, or disclosing the wages of the employee or another employee in response to a complaint or charge, or in furtherance of a sex discrimination investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, or an investigation conducted by the employer. Makes employers who violate sex discrimination prohibitions liable in a civil action for either compensatory or (except for the federal government) punitive damages. States that any action brought to enforce the prohibition against sex discrimination may be maintained as a class action in which individuals may be joined as party plaintiffs without their written consent. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor (Secretary) to seek additional compensatory or punitive damages in a sex discrimination action. Requires the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs to train EEOC employees and affected individuals and entities on matters involving wage discrimination. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to eligible entities for negotiation skills training programs for girls and women. Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of Education to issue regulations or policy guidance to integrate such training into certain programs under their Departments. Directs the Secretary to conduct studies and provide information to employers, labor organizations, and the general public regarding the means available to eliminate pay disparities between men and women. Establishes the Secretary of Labor's National Award for Pay Equity in the Workplace for an employer who has made a substantial effort to eliminate pay disparities between men and women. Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to require the EEOC to collect from employers pay information data regarding the sex, race, and national origin of employees for use in the enforcement of federal laws prohibiting pay discrimination. Directs: (1) the Commissioner of Labor Statistics to continue to collect data on women workers in the Current Employment Statistics survey, (2) the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs to use specified types of methods in investigating compensation discrimination and in enforcing pay equity, and (3) the Secretary to make accurate information on compensation discrimination readily available to the public. Directs the Secretary and the Commissioner [ sic ] of the EEOC jointly to develop technical assistance material to assist small businesses to comply with the requirements of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2012
Federal Entrepreneur-in-Residence Act of 2012 - Directs the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to establish an entrepreneur-in-residence program to appoint in-house entrepreneurs who have demonstrated success in working with small business concerns and entrepreneurs to: (1) assist federal agencies in improving outreach to small business concerns and entrepreneurs, (2) provide recommendations on inefficient or duplicative agency programs and on methods to improve agency efficiency, (3) facilitate meetings and forums to educate small business concerns and entrepreneurs on agency programs and initiatives, and (4) provide technical assistance or mentorship. Limits to 10 the number of entrepreneurs-in-residence that the Director may appoint in any year. Terminates such program after FY2016.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2012
Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2013 - Makes appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for FY2013 for: (1) the Offices of the Secretary, the Under Secretary for Management, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Information Officer, and the Inspector General; (2) intelligence analysis and operations coordination activities; (3) U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), including for the U.S. Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology program; (4) U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE); (5) the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), including for surface transportation security activities, screening programs of the Office of Transportation Threat Assessment and Credentialing, transportation security support, and the Federal Air Marshals; (6) the U.S. Coast Guard, including funding derived from the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund; (7) the U.S. Secret Service; (8) the Office of the Under Secretary for National Protection and Programs Directorate, including for the Federal Protective Service; (9) the Office of Health Affairs; (10) the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), including for the U.S. Fire Administration; (11) U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS), including for the E-Verify program; (12) the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center; (13) the Office of the Under Secretary for Science and Technology; (14) science and technology research; and (15) the Domestic Nuclear Detention Office. Prohibits the use of funds under this Act: (1) to amend the oath of allegiance required under the Immigration and Nationality Act; (2) to prevent an individual not in the business of importing a prescription drug from importing a prescription drug that complies with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act from Canada for personal use; (3) for planning, testing, piloting, or developing a national identification card; (4) to transfer, release, or assist in the transfer or release to or within the United States Khalid Sheikh Mohammed or any other detainee who is not a U.S. citizen or a member of the U.S. Armed Forces and who is or was held on or after June 24, 2009, at the U.S. Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, by the Department of Defense (DOD); or (5) by a federal law enforcement officer to facilitate the transfer of an operable firearm to an agent of a drug cartel unless U.S. law enforcement personnel continuously monitor or control the firearm at all times. Increases the limit on the airline passenger security fee to $5.00 per one-way trip in air transportation or intrastate air transportation that originates at an airport in the United States. Establishes in the U.S. Treasury a Department of Homeland Security Forfeiture Fund. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act regarding the visa waiver program to: (1) authorize the Secretary to designate any country as a program country; (2) adjust visa refusal rate criteria, including addition of a 3% maximum overstay rate; and (3) revise probationary and termination provisions. Makes specified rescissions.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2012
Today's Entrepreneurs are America's Mentors Act or TEAM Act - Amends the Small Business Act to establish in the Small Business Administration (SBA) an Office of Entrepreneurial Education, headed by a Director, to develop and provide innovative entrepreneurial information, education, and resources to promote prospective entrepreneurs and successful small businesses. Directs the SBA's Associate Administrator for Entrepreneurial Development to establish a program of grants to nonprofit organizations to provide technical assistance to primary and secondary schools for the development and implementation of curricula and mentoring programs designed to promote entrepreneurship. Requires the Director to submit to the congressional small business committees best practices of U.S. entrepreneurial education and training programs. Authorizes the SBA Administrator to award up to 100 scholarships per year to students pursuing a Masters of Business Administration degree. Requires each student, in return for such scholarship, to provide, on a full-time basis for one to two weeks, free technical assistance, counseling, and related assistance to small businesses and entrepreneurs. Directs the Administrator to establish a program to host regional competitions and a national conference to address regional challenges through entrepreneurial research and business planning. Requires the Administrator to recommend to Congress legislation for establishing programs to forgive or defer student loan payments in order to assist youth entrepreneurship by making capital available for business formation.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2012
Small Business Goaling Act of 2012 - Amends the Small Business Act to raise from 23% to 25% the governmentwide prime contract award goal for participation by small business concerns and to make the governmentwide subcontract participation award goal 40% for such businesses. Revises percentage goals for awards to small businesses owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans, qualified HUBZone (historically underutilized business zone) small businesses, small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, and small businesses owned by women (small business categories). Requires the small business procurement goals established by the head of each federal agency participating in federal procurement contracts to: (1) be in the same format as the goals established by the President, (2) address both prime contract and subcontract awards, and (3) meet or exceed the government-wide goals for each small business category. Requires each agency head to: (1) consult with the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) in establishing agency goals, and (2) develop a plan for achieving agency goals. Revises requirements concerning information required to be included in annual reports from: (1) agency heads to the Administrator concerning the extent of small business participation in that agency's procurement contracts; and (2) the Administrator to the President and Congress on whether individual agency goals were achieved, as well as reasons for any failure to achieve such goals. Requires, in the latter reports, information concerning the number and dollar amounts of prime contracts awarded to small businesses owned by an Alaska Native Corporation. Requires training programs established for the development of federal senior executives to include training with respect to federal procurement requirements, including those under the Small Business Act. Requires senior executive performance appraisals to take into account the individual's success in meeting agency small business federal procurement contracting goals.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2012
Honors the entrepreneurial spirit of small businesses during National Small Business Week beginning May 20, 2012. Applauds the efforts and achievements of small business owners and their employees. Recognizes the work of the Small Business Administration (SBA) and its resource partners in providing assistance to entrepreneurs and small businesses. Recognizes the importance of ensuring that: (1) guaranteed loans, including microloans and venture capital, are made available to all qualified small businesses; (2) necessary federal resources are provided to management assistance programs delivered by SBA resource partners; (3) SBA small business disaster assistance is provided in a timely and efficient manner; (4) affordable Internet access is available to all people in the United States so that small businesses can utilize such access; (5) regulatory relief is provided to small businesses through the reduction of duplicative or unnecessary regulatory requirements; and (6) leveling the playing field for small business contracting opportunities remains a primary focus.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2012
Amends the Small Business Export Development Act to direct the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to submit to the congressional small business committees periodic reports, beginning two years after the enactment of this Act, that rank each state and U.S. territory, the District of Columbia, and the 50 largest U.S. metropolitan areas on how well their regulations and policies create optimal environments for the creation and development of small businesses. Designates each such report as a National Small Business Climate Index (Index). Outlines factors to be used to achieve such rankings. Requires the Chief Counsel, within one year after the enactment of this Act, to report to such committees on the progress in preparing the first Index.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2012
Strengthening Resources for America's Entrepreneurs Act of 2012 - Amends the Small Business Act to direct the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to develop and submit to Congress a plan for using SBA entrepreneurial development programs (EDPs) to create jobs during FY2013-FY2014. Requires the Administrator to: (1) promulgate a rule to develop and implement a consistent data collection process for the EDPs; (2) report annually to Congress on opportunities to foster coordination of, limit duplication among, and improve program delivery for federal EDPs; (3) establish a database of providers of entrepreneurial development services; (4) designate at least one employee in each SBA district office as a community specialist to work with local providers of such services to increase their coordination with federal EDPs; and (5) develop benchmarks for measuring the performance of such specialists.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2012
Women's Small Business Ownership Act of 2012 - Amends the Small Business Act to direct the Office of Women's Business Ownership within the Small Business Administration (SBA) to address issues concerning the management, operations, manufacturing, technology, finance, retail and product sales, international trade, government contracting, and other disciplines required for starting, operating, and increasing the business of a small business. Authorizes the SBA Administrator to provide annual training for women's business ownership representatives to enable them to carry out such responsibilities. Authorizes the Administrator to provide financial assistance to qualifying entities to conduct projects designed to provide training and counseling meeting the needs of women business owners, especially socially and economically disadvantaged women business owners. Provides assistance amounts of at least $100,000 and up to $150,000 per year. Directs the Administrator to consult with each association of women's business centers to develop: (1) a training program for the staff of such centers, and (2) recommendations to improve the policies and procedures for governing the general operations and administration of the women's business center program. Outlines application and other requirements for entities to receive assistance to conduct such projects. Directs the Administrator to solicit applications and award grants for the first fiscal year beginning after the enactment of this Act, and every third fiscal year thereafter. Provides for the review and approval of grant applications, as well as conditions for continued funding. Allows for multiple awards to the same entities. Directs the Comptroller General (GAO) to study: (1) the unique economic issues facing women's business centers located in predominately rural, urban, or insular areas; and (2) SBA oversight of women's business centers.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2012
National Women's High-Growth Business Bipartisan Task Force Act of 2012 - Establishes the National Women's High-Growth Business Bipartisan Task Force to provide women-owned, start-up and high-growth business advice, research, and policy recommendations to the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA), the Assistant Administrator of the SBA's Office of Women's Business Ownership, Congress, the President, and other federal departments and agencies. Directs the Task Force, among other things, to review, monitor, and advise on plans and programs developed in the public and private sectors that affect the ability of small businesses owned and controlled by women to obtain capital and credit and to access markets. Requires the Task Force to report annually to the President and the congressional small business committees on the activities of the Task Force. Directs the SBA's Chief Counsel to: (1) semiannually conduct a study of an issue of importance to small businesses owned and controlled by women, and (2) submit each study's results to the Task Force and the small business committees. Amends the Women's Business Ownership Act of 1988 to repeal provisions establishing the Interagency Committee on Women's Business Enterprise.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2012
Recognizes National Foster Care Month as an opportunity to raise awareness about the challenges that children in the foster care system face. Encourages Congress to implement policy to improve the lives of children in the foster care system. Supports the designation of May as National Foster Care Month.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2012
Thanks teachers for their service. Promotes the teaching profession. Recognizes students, parents, school administrators, and public officials who participate in National Teacher Appreciation Week.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2012
World War II Memorial Prayer Act of 2012 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to install at the World War II memorial in the District of Columbia a suitable plaque or an inscription with the words that President Franklin D. Roosevelt prayed with the United States on June 6, 1944, the morning of D-Day.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2012
Recognizes May 15, 2012, as National Peace Officers Memorial Day. Acknowledges the dedication and sacrifices made by law enforcement officers who have been killed or injured in the line of duty.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2012
Commends the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the Department of Energy (DOE) for hosting the Third International Conference on Nuclear Power Plant Life Management in the United States. Applauds the efforts of conference attendees to discuss and explore the increased role of nuclear power plant life management in support of license renewal and the safe, long-term operation of commercial nuclear reactors throughout the world. Thanks the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for organizing the Third International Conference on Nuclear Power Plant Life Management in the United States for the first time, and encourages member states of the IAEA to take advantage of the latest available technology to further develop licensing programs, promote safety, and secure the long-term success of commercial nuclear power generation.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2012
Congratulates the students, parents, teachers, and administrators of charter schools across the country for their ongoing contributions to education and our public school system. Supports the ideals and goals of the thirteenth annual National Charter Schools Week (May 6-May 12, 2012).
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2012
Rural Hospital Access Act of 2012 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to extend through FY2013: (1) the Medicare-dependent hospital (MDH) program; and (2) increased payments under the Medicare low-volume hospital program.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2012
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to suspend temporarily the duty on aqueous mixtures of polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinyl pyrrolidone.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2012
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to suspend temporarily the duty on tertiobutyl catechol flakes and tertiobutyl catechol with 85% water or methanol.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2012
Clean Cookstoves Support Act of 2012 - Requires the Secretary of State to work to advance the goals and work of the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves, including through: (1) applied research and development to improve design, lower costs, promote technology adoption, conduct health research and evaluation, and develop global industry standards and testing protocols for cookstoves; (2) diplomatic engagement to encourage a commercial market for clean stoves and fuels, reduce trade barriers, promote consumer awareness, improve access to large-scale carbon financing, and foster women-owned businesses; (3) international development projects to help build commercial businesses to manufacture, market, distribute, sell, and service clean stoves and fuels; (4) development efforts related to refugee camps, disaster relief, and long-term programs aimed at assisting women and girls; and (5) financing or insurance to support projects that provide access to clean, affordable energy and energy savings through the manufacture, sale, and purchase of cookstoves. Authorizes appropriations for FY2013-FY2017 to the Department of State, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Department of Energy (DOE), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for work with the Global Alliance.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2012
Amends the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 to extend through September 27, 2013 (under current law, through September 27, 2012) the authority for Small Business Administration (SBA) refinancing of small business debt not involving business expansion under the SBA's local development business loan program.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2012
Diagnostic Imaging Services Access Protection Act of 2012 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to requirements for the fee schedule for diagnostic imaging services provided by a physician. Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) from applying a multiple procedure payment reduction policy to the professional component of imaging services: (1) furnished between 60 days after enactment of this Act and January 1, 2013; or (2) furnished in 2013 or subsequently unless the reduction is based on the analysis of an expert panel on diagnostic imaging services convened by the Institute of Medicine. Directs the Secretary to request the Institute of Medicine to convene such an expert panel to analyze the appropriateness of applying a multiple procedure payment reduction policy to the professional component of imaging services.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2012
Forest Products Fairness Act of 2012 - Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to redefine "biobased product" as a commercial or industrial product (other than food or feed) that is composed, in whole or in significant part, of biological products, including renewable domestic agricultural materials and forestry materials, or an intermediate ingredient or feedstock. Includes within such definition forest products that meet biobased content requirements, notwithstanding market maturity. Defines "forest product" as a product made from materials derived from the practice of forestry or the management of growing timber, and includes: (1) pulp, paper, paperboard, pellets, and wood products; and (2) any recycled products derived from forest materials.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2012
Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to extend the National Flood Insurance Program from September 30, 2011, through December 31, 2012. Continues through December 31, 2012, the authority of the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), with the President's approval, to issue up to $20.725 billion in notes and obligations to finance the Program.
![Official portrait of Sen. Landrieu, Mary L. [D-LA]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/l000550_200.jpg)