United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2002
Civil War Battlefield Preservation Act of 2002 - Amends the American Battlefield Protection Act of 1996 to direct the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the American Battlefield Protection Program, to establish a battlefield acquisition grant program under which the Secretary may provide grants to a State or local government (eligible entity) to pay the Federal share of the cost of acquiring interests in eligible sites for the preservation and protection of those sites. Permits an eligible entity to acquire an interest in an eligible site using a grant in partnership with a nonprofit organization. Subjects acquired property to the prohibition against conversion to other than public outdoor recreation uses, without the Secretary's approval. Requires the Secretary to submit to Congress a report that updates the Report on the Nation's Civil War Battlefields to reflect preservation activities and changes in the condition of the 384 battlefields. Extends the American Battlefield Protection Program through FY 2008.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2002
Louisiana Rice Economic Relief Act of 2002 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide economic disaster assistance ($40,000 maximum per person) to producers of the 2002 rice crop in Louisiana.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2002
Supports the goals and ideas of a day of tribute to all firefighters who have died in the line of duty. Recognizes the important mission of the Fallen Firefighters Foundation in assisting family members to overcome the loss of their fallen heroes.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2002
Recognizes the 100th anniversary of the 4-H Youth Development Program, and commends such program for service to the youth of the world. Designates October 6, 2002, through October 12, 2002, as National 4-H Youth Development Program Week.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2002
Quality of Care for Individuals With Cancer Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to grant a contract to a national voluntary consensus organization, whereby the organization shall agree to identify core sets of quality of cancer care measures in consultation with a panel or an advisory group of interested parties. Expands the national program of State cancer registries funded under the Act. Directs the Secretary to establish a Cancer Surveillance System to monitor such registries, and reauthorizes the national program through 2008. Modifies provision dealing with matching funds to require States pay at least one dollar for every five (currently, three) Federal dollars spent on a cancer registry. Requires the Secretary to develop partnerships to speed the pace of improvements in the quality of cancer care. Directs the Secretary to establish a National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program to improve the quality of cancer care. Requires the Secretary to award grants to entities to develop, implement, and evaluate: (1) cancer case management programs; (2) model programs for the delivery of palliative care for cancer sufferers; and (3) end-of-life care programs. Directs the Secretary to conduct and support research regarding cancer survivorship. Requires the Secretary to make grants to support cancer curriculum development for health care provider training. Requires National Cancer Institute cancer control programs to include a plan to assist health professionals in professions facing the most severe shortages. Requires the Director of the National Cancer Institute to cooperate with, and make grants to, public or nonprofit entities to conduct multidisciplinary translational cancer research.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2002
Consumer Rental Purchase Agreement Act of 2002 - Amends the Consumer Credit Protection Act to prescribe guidelines for rental-purchase transactions, including: (1) the determination of rental-purchase cost; (2) disclosure requirements; (3) proscriptions against confessions of judgment, wage assignments, and waiver of consumer claims or defenses; (4) furnishing of statements of account; (5) point-of-rental disclosures; and (6) rental-purchase advertising disclosures. Authorizes the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to promulgate implementing regulations. Declares that an action for civil liability may be brought against a merchant's assignee only if the violation is apparent on the face of a rental-purchase agreement to which it relates, including, but not limited to, a disclosure that can be determined to be incomplete or inaccurate from the face of the agreement. Provides for Federal and State enforcement of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2002
21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act - Directs the President to establish a National Nanotechnology Research Program. Requires such Program, through appropriate Federal agencies, councils, and the National Coordination Office, to: (1) establish goals, priorities, grand challenges (fundamental problems in science and engineering that will require the application of nanotechnology), and metrics for evaluating Federal nanotechnology research, development, and other activities; (2) invest in Federal research and development (R&D) programs in nanotechnology and related sciences to achieve those goals; and (3) provide for coordination of Federal nanotechnology activities. Requires the Program, through its participating agencies, to develop, fund, and manage Federal research programs concerning: (1) long-term basic nanoscience and engineering research; (2) essential grand challenges and interdisciplinary research and education teams; (3) interdisciplinary nanotechnology research centers; (4) research infrastructure and equipment; (5) the Center for Ethical, Societal, Educational, Legal, and Workforce Issues Related to Nanotechnology to be established by the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF); and (6) technology transition. Directs the National Science and Technology Council to oversee the planning, management, and coordination of the Program, including establishment of an Information Services and Applications Council. Directs the President to establish a National Nanaotechnology Advisory Panel and a National Nanotechnology Coordination Office. Provides for the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a triennial evaluation of the Program and a biennial study of the relative position of the United Sates compared to other nations with respect to nanotechnology R&D. Provides for the Program to monitor the United States' standing in key research fields that support technological innovation. Requires the NSF Director to: (1) collect and disseminate studies on the societal, ethical, educational, and workforce implications of nanotechnology; and (2) collect data on the size of the anticipated nanotechnology workforce needed and assess the adequacy of the trained talent pool to fill such needs.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 2002
Mosquito Abatement for Safety and Health Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to make grants to political subdivisions of States ("localities") for the operation of mosquito control programs to prevent and control mosquito-borne diseases. Requires each locality receiving a grant for a control program to make available matching funds in an amount not less than 1/3 of the cost of the program, unless the Secretary waives the requirement due to extraordinary economic conditions in the locality. Permits the Secretary, acting through the Director, to make grants to localities for conducting assessments and plans for control programs, and to make grants to States for the purpose of coordinating control programs. Allows the Secretary to provide training and technical assistance to localities with respect to the planning, development, and operation of control programs and assessments and plans, either directly or through award of grants or contracts to public and private entities. Requires the Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to conduct or support research into methods to control the population of insects that transmit dangerous diseases to humans. Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Food and Drug Administration should comprehensively review its protocols and regulations for screening of blood and platelet donors and their donated specimens and report on the ability of the protocols to protect the blood supply from West Nile virus. Directs the Commissioner of Food and Drugs to: (1) revise protocols and regulations to protect the blood supply and blood supply products from the West Nile virus to the maximum extent possible; and (2) expedite review of appropriate blood screening tests for the West Nile virus.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2002
Designates the month of September 2002 as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Declares that the Federal Government has a responsibility to: (1) raise awareness about the importance of screening methods and treatment of prostate cancer; (2) increase research funding that is commensurate with the burden of the disease so that the causes of, and improved methods for screening, treating, and curing prostate cancer may be discovered; and (3) continue to consider ways for improving access to, and the quality of, health care services for detecting and treating prostate cancer.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 2002
Honoring the Passengers and Crew of United Flight 93 Act - Authorizes the President to award posthumously the Congressional Gold Medal to the passengers and crew of United Airlines flight 93 in the aftermath of the terrorist attack on the United States on September 11, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 2002
Emergency Communications and Competition Act of 2002 - Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to assign licenses in the 12.2 -12.7 gigahertz band for the provision of fixed terrestrial communications services. Prohibits: (1) granting such a license if operations would interfere with direct broadcast satellite service; or (2) such licenses from being used for the provision of personal communications or terrestrial telephony service. Requires licensees to begin providing services within five years after the license is granted. Requires each licensee to: (1) disseminate Federal, State, and local Emergency Alert System warnings to all subscribers; (2) provide immediate access of its services for national security and emergency preparedness personnel; and (3) adhere to all FCC-established access requirements, including the carriage of local television station signals, access for political candidates, and public interest programming and services. Directs the FCC to: (1) establish boundaries for license recipients that conform to existing television markets; and (2) redesignate the Multichannel Video Distribution and Data Service as the Terrestrial Direct Broadcast Service.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 2002
Comprehensive Child Protection Act of 2002 - Amends the Federal judicial code to establish within the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) a National Crimes Against Children Response Center which shall develop a national response plan model that provides a comprehensive, rapid response plan to report crimes involving the victimization of children and protects children from future crimes. Sets forth the duties of the Director of the FBI with respect to that mission, including: (1) development of a national strategy; (2) creation of regional rapid response teams; and (3) outreach efforts to raise awareness and educate communities. Amends the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 to direct that the release of information under a State sex offender registration program include the maintenance of an Internet site containing such information that is available to the public. Directs the Crimes Against Children section of the Department of Justice to create a national Internet site that links all State Internet sites established under this Act. Increases from 25 to 30 years the statute of limitations for child abuse offenses. Makes the confidential marital communication privilege and the adverse spousal privilege inapplicable in Federal proceedings where a spouse is charged with a crime against a child of either spouse or against a child under the custody or control of either spouse. Increases penalties for sex offenses. Directs the Attorney General to appoint a Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Crimes Against Children.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 2002
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the National Institutes of Health, should conduct or support research on the effectiveness of medical screening techniques for ovarian cancer, including the use of proteomic patterns in blood serum in combination with other techniques. Requires a report to Congress and the inclusion of such technique in Federal health care programs and group and individual health plans if it proves effective.
United States · United States Congress · 5 September 2002
Veterans Health Care Funding Guarantee Act of 2002 - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) make available to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for programs, functions, and activities of the Veterans Health Administration for FY 2004 120 percent of the amount obligated during FY 2002; and (2) adjust the amount provided after FY 2004 based on the number of enrolled veterans and the number of others eligible for and provided care and the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index.
United States · United States Congress · 3 September 2002
Atchafalaya National Heritage Area Act - Establishes the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area in Louisiana. Designates the Atchafalaya Trace Commission as the local coordinating entity of such Area which shall develop and implement an Area management plan for the protection, interpretation, and enjoyment of such Area, subject to the Secretary of the Interior's approval. Prohibits the use of Federal funds to acquire real property.
United States · United States Congress · 3 September 2002
National AMBER Alert Network Act of 2002 - Requires the Attorney General to assign an AMBER Alert Coordinator of the Department of Justice to act as the national coordinator of the AMBER Alert communications network regarding abducted children. Requires the coordinator to: (1) seek to eliminate gaps in the network; (2) work with States to encourage the development of additional network elements and to ensure regional coordination; and (3) act as the nationwide point of contact for network development and for regional coordination of alerts on abducted children through the network. Directs the Coordinator to: (1) notify and consult with the Federal Bureau of Investigation concerning each child abduction for which an AMBER Alert is issued; and (2) establish minimum standards for the issuance of alerts and for the extent of their dissemination (limited to the geographic areas most likely to facilitate the recovery of the abducted child). Requires the Secretary of Transportation to provide grants to States for the development or enhancement of notification or communications systems along highways for alerts and other information for the recovery of abducted children. Includes among permissible activities the development or enhancement of electronic message boards, and the placement of additional signage, along highways. Directs the Attorney General to provide grants to States for the development or enhancement of programs and activities for the support of AMBER Alert communications plans.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2002
Child Care Lending Pilot Act - Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to allow the proceeds of loans made through the Small Business Administration (SBA) to local development companies for plant acquisition, construction, or expansion to be used to assist small, nonprofit child care businesses, provided that: (1) the loan will be used for a sound business purpose approved by the SBA; and (2) each business receiving the assistance meets eligibility requirements applicable to for-profit businesses.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2002
Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), within 15 days after the enactment of this Act, to return to the winning bidders of spectrum auction 35 the full amount of all deposits and down payments made for licenses that the FCC has not delivered by such date. Frees each winning bidder that elects within such period to relinquish a license not yet delivered of all license obligations such bidder would otherwise have had, including the obligation to pay the full amount of its winning bid upon license delivery.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2002
Crane Conservation Act of 2002 - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to provide financial assistance for approved projects relating to the conservation of cranes, using amounts in the Crane Conservation Fund established by this Act. Allows a project proposal to be submitted by: (1) any wildlife management authority of a country that is located in the African, Asian, or North American range of a species of crane and carries out at least one activity that affects crane populations; (2) the Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora; and (3) any person or organization with demonstrated expertise in the conservation of cranes. Establishes the Crane Conservation Fund in the Multinational Species Conservation Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2002
Product Safety Notification and Recall Effectiveness Act of 2002 - Directs the Consumer Product Safety Commission to promulgate a rule requiring the manufacturer of specified juvenile products and small household appliances to establish and maintain a product recall notification system for consumers. Requires such system to create a database for the sole purpose of notifying such consumers of product recalls through the use of product safety owner cards (or an alternative method).
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2002
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow business entities and proprietorships to meet the employment qualifications for being renewal community businesses by employing residents of adjacent or the next closest renewal communities.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2002
Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should issue a proclamation designating the fourth Sunday of each September as National Good Neighbor Day.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2002
Improved Nutrition and Physical Activity Act (IMPACT Act) - Amends the Public Health Service Act to address issues of overweight and obesity. Expands certain existing grant programs for health professional training to include the treatment of overweight and obesity. Creates grant programs at the local level to promote increased physical activity and improved nutrition. Targets partnerships with businesses, schools, senior centers, day care facilities and other institutions. Includes tax and other incentives among covered activities. Expands an existing coordinated school health program to include grants for the development of programs which focus on healthy lifestyle, including balanced diet and physical activity. Authorizes the collection and analysis of data concerning the fitness levels of children and youth. Requires a study of the food and nutrition assistance programs run by the Department of Agriculture to determine how they can be improved or altered to help prevent obesity and overweight. Requires an evidence report (study) on the effectiveness of weight reduction programs. Permits the use of preventive health and health services block grants for community education programs which promote healthy eating and exercise habits. Creates a Medicare demonstration project to reduce obesity and other chronic disease risks in older Americans. Makes grants available to local healthcare delivery systems for overweight and obesity treatment and prevention demonstration programs. Requires a report on research into the causes and health implications of obesity and being overweight. Makes grants available for a national campaign to change children's health behaviors. Establishes the private, nonprofit National Nutrition Foundation for the Department of Agriculture to carry out research and dissemination pertaining to the nutrition and food assistance programs in the Department.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2002
State Children's Health Insurance Program Budget Allocation Act of 2002 - Amends title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to permit a qualifying State to elect to use unexpended allotments under SCHIP for payments for FY 2002 and 2003 under SSA title XIX (Medicaid), and for expenditures under SCHIP. Revises requirements with respect to the redistribution and extended availability of funds unexpended from FY 1998 and 1999 allotments, and of funds unexpended from FY 2000 allotments, as well as those concerning the extended availability of certain other funds. Provides authority for qualifying States to use up to ten percent of FY 1998 and 1999 unexpended allotments for outreach activities under SCHIP.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2002
Foreign and Armed Forces Tax Fairness Act of 2002 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) restore the full exclusion from gross income of the death gratuity payment; (2) permit a suspension of residency rules governing the exclusion of gain from sale of a principal residence for members of the uniformed services or the Foreign Service serving on qualified official extended duty; (3) exclude from gross income qualified military base realignment and closure fringe benefits; (4) extend tax filing delay provisions to military personnel serving in contingency operations; (5) allow as a business or trade deduction the expenses of a member of the reserve component of the U.S. armed forces in connection with such service (available to itemizers and non-itemizers); (6) include ancestors and lineal descendants of past or present members of the armed forces when determining whether a veterans' organization is exempt from tax; and (7) fully exclude from gross income certain dependent care assistance programs sponsored by the Department of Defense.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2002
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to fully exclude from gross income certain dependent care assistance programs sponsored by the Department of Defense for members of the Armed Forces.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2002
Extends the tax benefits available under the Internal Revenue Code for services performed in a combat zone to active duty performed by a member of the U.S. armed forces on the Island of Diego Garcia.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2002
District of Columbia Appropriations Act, 2003 - Makes appropriations to the District of Columbia for FY 2003, including amounts for the Federal payments: (1) for District of Columbia Resident Tuition Support; (2) for emergency planning and security costs in the District; (3) to the Chief Financial Officer of the District; (4) to District of Columbia Courts; (5) for Defender Services in District of Columbia Courts; (6) to the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for the District of Columbia (including transfer of funds); (7) to the Children's National Medical Center; (8) to the St. Coletta of Greater Washington, Inc. expansion project; (9) to the Department of Transportation in the District; (10) for implementation of the Anacostia Waterfront Initiative; (11) for capital infrastructure development; (12) for the Family Literacy Program; and (13) for development of Charter School facilities. Appropriates specified sums out of the District's general fund and/or other funds for the current fiscal year for: (1) operating expenses (with limitations); (2) governmental direction and support; (3) economic development and regulation; (4) public safety and justice; (5) the public education system (including transfer of funds); (6) human support services (including transfer of funds); (7) public works; (8) workforce investments; (9) the Reserve; (10) the Emergency and Contingency Reserve Fund; (11) repayment of certain loans and interest; (12) repayment of General Fund Recovery Debt; (13) payment of interest on short-term borrowing; (14) the John A. Wilson Building; (15) for certain non-departmental agency costs; (16) for principal and interest payments on the District's Certificates of Participation, issued to finance the ground lease underlying the building located at One Judiciary Square; (17) refunds and for the payment of legal settlements or judgments that have been entered against the District government; (18) for the District's costs of public safety expenses related to security events and for the costs of providing support to respond to immediate and specific terrorist threats or attacks in the District or surrounding jurisdictions; (19) pay-as-you-go capital in lieu of capital financing; (20) capital infrastructure development; (21) the Water and Sewer Authority; (22) the Washington Aqueduct; (23) the Stormwater Permit Compliance Enterprise Fund; (24) the Lottery and Charitable Games Enterprise Fund; (25) the Sports and Entertainment Commission; (26) the District of Columbia Retirement Board; (27) the Washington Convention Center Enterprise Fund; (28) the National Capital Revitalization Corporation; and (29) capital outlay (including rescissions). Transfers limited funds to the Tobacco Settlement Trust Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2002
Reaffirms support of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Commemorates the 15th anniversary of the enactment of the Genocide Convention Implementation Act of 1987 (the Proxmire Act) on November 4, 2003.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2002
Expresses the sense of Congress that November of each year should be established as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Awareness Month to raise public awareness about the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and the serious problems associated with it.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2002
Small and Disadvantaged Business Ombudsman Act - Amends the Small Business Act to require the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to designate a Small and Disadvantaged Business Ombudsman for Procurement, who shall: (1) work with each Federal agency with procurement authority to ensure that small businesses are treated fairly in the procurement process; (2) establish a procedure for receiving comments from small businesses and personnel of the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (Office) of each Federal agency regarding the activities of agencies and prime contractors on Federal procurement contracts for small businesses; and (3) establish a procedure for addressing concerns received with respect to small businesses and Federal procurement contracting. Requires an annual report from the Ombudsman to the congressional small business committees evaluating such activities. Requires each Federal agency to assist the Ombudsman to ensure compliance with Federal procurement goals for small businesses, certain procurement policies, and Federal prime contractor small business subcontracting plans. Requires a Federal agency to submit a goal attainment plan upon failure to meet small business procurement goals. Requires each Office director to: (1) have experience assisting small businesses with Federal procurement; (2) not currently serve as the chief procurement officer of such agency; (3) have no other duties; and (4) attend meetings of the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization Council. Establishes such Council. Increases, from the current 23 percent to up to 30 percent for FY 2006 and thereafter, the Federal small business procurement goal.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2002
Makes an individual eligible for retired pay for non-regular (reserve) military service if such individual: (1) satisfies one of the combinations of minimum age (between 55 and 60) and years of service (between 20 and 30) as presented in a specified table; (2) performed the last eight years of qualifying service in currently authorized categories of military service, but not while a member of a regular component, the Fleet Reserve, or the Fleet Marine Corps Reserve; and (3) is not entitled to any other retirement pay from an armed force or as a member of the Fleet Reserves.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2002
Small Business Drought Relief Act - Amends the Small Business Act to include drought within its definition of disaster (thus qualifying small businesses suffering economic harm from droughts for assistance under such Act).
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2002
21st Century Medicare Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to establish: (1) a Voluntary Prescription Drug Delivery Program under a new part D; and (2) a Prescription Drug Account in the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish: (1) within the Department of HHS the Medicare Competitive Agency, headed by an Administrator charged with carrying out Medicare parts D and C (Medicare+Choice); and (2) within the Agency an Office of Beneficiary Assistance to carry out functions relating to Medicare beneficiaries. Creates a Medicare Ombudsman in such Office. Establishes within the Medicare Competitive Agency the Medicare Competitive Policy Advisory Board. Directs the Administrator of the Medicare Competitive Agency to study and report to Congress on the need for rules relating to permitting individuals who are enrolled under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) but are not entitled to benefits under Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) to buy into the Medicare voluntary prescription drug delivery program. Amends SSA title XVIII with respect to the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund to require the Board of Trustees of the Trust Fund to submit to Congress a combined report on the operation and status of the Trust Fund and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund, including the Prescription Drug Account within such Trust Fund. Expands the membership and duties of the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MEDPAC). Directs the Secretary to establish procedures under which each eligible beneficiary shall be entitled to elect to receive enhanced Medicare benefits under a new Medicare part E (Enhanced Medicare Benefits) instead of the benefits under Medicare parts A and B. Sets forth rules relating to Medicare supplemental insurance (Medigap) policies that provide prescription drug coverage, such as prohibiting the sale, issuance, and renewal of policies that provide prescription drug coverage to part D enrollees. Amends SSA title XVIII part C to provide for competition under the Medicare+Choice program and part D and E benefits under competitive Medicare+Choice plans.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2002
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee should recommend to the Postmaster General that a commemorative postage stamp be issued in 2005 to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the arrival of the first Acadians in the American colonies in 1755.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2002
Housing Voucher Improvement Act of 2002 - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to establish a thrifty voucher component within the section 8 public housing program to assist public housing authorities (PHAs) increase housing availability for extremely low-income families. Permits PHAs to use unutilized section 8 funds, or reserve funds in cases of no such unutilized funds, to help families find housing. Establishes the Voucher Success Fund to assist certain PHAs with no unutilized funds. Authorizes PHAs to make limited increases in maximum rents. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to provide PHAs with lists of rental units in their metropolitan areas that were given low-income housing tax credits or were built under the HOME Investments Partnership Act. Authorizes the Secretary to reallocate chronically unutilized section 8 vouchers through designated metropolitan administrators. Permits families in project-based section 8 units to participate in specified self-sufficiency programs. Sets forth grant and income exclusion work incentives. Authorizes a welfare-to-work housing voucher program. Authorizes PHAs to: (1) begin rental payments before inspection under specified circumstances; and (2) use technical assistance funds and other means to establish electronic transfer systems for rental payments. .
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2002
Afghanistan Freedom Support Act of 2002 - Authorizes the President to provide assistance for Afghanistan through 2005 for the following activities: (1) urgent humanitarian needs; (2) repatriation and resettlement of refugees and internally displaced persons; (3) counternarcotics efforts; (4) reestablishment of food security, rehabilitation of the agriculture sector, improvement in health conditions, and the reconstruction of basic infrastructure; (5) reestablishment of Afghanistan as a viable nation-state through support for the development and expansion of democratic and market-based institutions; and (6) support for the establishment of a market economy, private financial institutions, the development of a telecommunications infrastructure, and trade and commercial links. Urges the President to: (1) designate within the Department of State a coordinator for such assistance and U.S. interests in Afghanistan; (2) utilize the expertise of Afghan-Americans; (3) encourage the donation of manufacturing equipment by U.S. businesses for the reconstruction of Afghanistan; and (4) utilize research conducted by U.S. land grant universities and the technical expertise of professionals at such institutions, particularly in the agricultural and rural development areas. Expresses the sense of Congress that, during the transition to fully representative government, the U.S. should support: (1) the development of a civilian-controlled and centrally-governed standing Afghanistan army that respects human rights and prohibits the use of children as soldiers; (2) the creation and training of a professional civilian police force that respects human rights; and (3) a multinational security force in Afghanistan. Authorizes the President to provide and direct the drawdown of defense articles and services and military education to the Government of Afghanistan. Prohibits U.S. involvement in poppy cultivation or illicit narcotics growth, production, or trafficking in Afghanistan.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2002
Amends rule XLII (employment practices) of the Standing Rules of the Senate to prohibit employment discrimination in the Senate based on sexual orientation.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2002
Designates the week of November 10-16, 2002, as National Veterans Awareness Week to emphasize educational programs for elementary and secondary school students regarding the contributions and sacrifices of veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2002
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that a reference to God in the Pledge of Allegiance or on U.S. currency shall not be construed as affecting the establishment of religion under the first article of the Constitution.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2002
Declares that the Senate strongly disapproves of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision in Newdow v. U.S. Congress. Authorizes and instructs the Senate Legal Counsel to seek to intervene in the case to defend the constitutionality of the Pledge of Allegiance.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2002
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to increase the fiscal year number of foreign residence waivers that a State may request for foreign medical graduate aliens working in U.S. health shortage areas. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Technical Corrections Act of 1994 to make such program permanent.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2002
Calls upon the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee to recommend to the Postmaster General that a commemorative postage stamp be issued in 2003 to celebrate the Bicentennial of the Louisiana Purchase.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2002
Teacher Tax Relief Act of 2002 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase from $250 to $500 the maximum above-the-line deduction allowed for classroom supply expenses incurred by elementary and secondary school teachers, effective after December 31, 2001. Expands such deduction to include qualified professional development expenses.
![Official portrait of Sen. Landrieu, Mary L. [D-LA]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/l000550_200.jpg)