United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2005
Cooperative Proliferation Detection, Interdiction Assistance, and Conventional Threat Reduction Act of 2005 - Cooperative Proliferation Detection and Interdiction Assistance Act of 2005 - Authorizes the President to establish a program to provide proliferation detection and interdiction assistance to friendly foreign countries and requires that at least 25% of the amount made available for nonproliferation, anti-terrorism, demining and related programs and activities for FY2006 shall be made available to establish such program. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President, in order to promote cooperation regarding the interdiction of weapons of mass destruction and related materials and delivery systems, to conclude agreements (including reciprocal maritime agreements) with other countries to prevent the transportation of such items to states and non-state actors of proliferation concern. Establishes within the Department of State an Office of Proliferation Detection and Interdiction Assistance Coordination. Provides that activities authorized to be carried out under the Nonproliferation and Disarmament Fund in the independent states of the former Soviet Union may also be carried out in other countries and with respect to international organizations when such activities are in the U.S. national interest. States that the President should ensure that, when in the national security interest of the United States, at least 25% of military assistance furnished will enhance the capabilities of friendly foreign countries to detect or interdict the illicit trafficking of weapons of mass destruction, related materials, and means of delivery and dual-use items of proliferation concern. Conventional Arms Disarmament Act of 2005 - Authorizes the Secretary of State to carry out an accelerated global program to secure or eliminate stocks of man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS), other conventional weapons, and tactical missile systems, as well as related equipment and facilities that pose a proliferation threat. Redesignates the (Department of State) Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement as the Office of Conventional Arms Threat Reduction.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 2005
Haiti Economic Recovery Opportunity Act - Amends the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act to provide, beginning on October 1, 2004, and for each of the seven succeeding one-year periods, duty-free treatment for apparel items wholly assembled or knit-to-shape in Haiti (without regard to the country of origin of the fabrics, components, or yarns) if the President certifies to Congress that Haiti: (1) has established or is progressing toward specified political, economic, and social reforms; (2) does not engage in activities that undermine U.S. security or foreign policy; (3) does not engage in gross violations of human rights or activities in support of international terrorism; and (4) is meeting specified enforcement conditions aimed at preventing tariff or quota avoidance, customs evasion, unlawful transshipment, or false information or false document use in order to obtain such preferential treatment. Applies such provisions to goods entered or withdrawn from a warehouse for consumption on or after October 1, 2004, including a retroactive application to certain warehouse entries or withdrawals made between such date and the date of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 2005
Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center Lease Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Porter County Convention, Recreation and Visitor Commission to establish a joint partnership with respect to the management of the Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center and, after entering into such a memorandum, lease space in such Memorial Center for use as a visitor center for the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore (the Lakeshore Center). Permits the Secretary to use Lakeshore employees to provide visitor information and education at the Lakeshore Center.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 2005
Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to authorize the Foreign Service Grievance Board to retain an employee on the payroll while a grievance is being reviewed.
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 2005
San Francisco Old Mint Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue not more than 100,000 $5 gold coins and 500,000 $1 silver coins emblematic of the San Francisco Old Mint Building, its importance to California and U.S. history, and its role in rebuilding San Francisco after the 1906 earthquake and fire. Requires that all surcharges received by the Secretary from such coin sales be promptly paid to the San Francisco Museum and Historical Society to rehabilitate the Historic Old Mint in San Francisco as a city museum and an American Coin and Gold Rush Museum.
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 2005
Naval Vessels Transfer Act of 2005 - Authorizes the President to transfer on a grant basis to: (1) Greece, the OSPREY class minehunter coastal ship PELICAN; (2) Egypt, the OSPREY class minehunter coastal ships CARDINAL and RAVEN; (3) Pakistan, the SPRUANCE class destroyer ship FLETCHER; and (4) Turkey, the SPRUANCE class destroyer ship CUSHING. Authorizes the President to transfer on a sale basis to: (1) India, the AUSTIN class amphibious transport dock ship TRENTON; (2) Greece, the OSPREY class minehunter coastal ship HERON; and (3) Turkey, the SPRUANCE class destroyer ship O'BANNON. States that: (1) the value of such vessels transferred on a grant basis shall not be counted against the aggregate value of excess defense articles transferred to countries in any fiscal year under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961; (2) transfer costs shall be charged to the recipient; and (3) to the maximum extent practicable, the country to which a vessel is transferred shall have necessary vessel repair and refurbishment carried out at U.S. shipyards (including U.S. Navy shipyards). Terminates transfer authority two years after enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 2005
Expresses: (1) sympathy and support for the people of South Asia following the devastating October 2005 earthquake that struck Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, and conveys condolences to the affected families, communities, and governments; and (2) admiration and support for the rescue and relief workers. Supports the initial pledge by President George Bush of humanitarian assistance, the deployment of U.S. military assets to the region, and the provision of additional U.S. assistance to save lives and help the region recover. Commends: (1) the ongoing international relief effort; and (2) the governments of Pakistan and India for their cooperation in saving lives and providing humanitarian relief to people on both sides of the Line of Control. Encourages further cooperation between India and Pakistan on relief operations and efforts to expand peace and stability in the region.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2005
Timber Tax Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax deduction (available to taxpayers whether or not they itemize deductions) for up to 60% of gains from certain sales or exchanges of timber.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2005
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 205 West Washington Street in Knox, Indiana, as the "Grant W. Green Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2005
Calls upon the government of the Republic of Azerbaijan to: (1) hold free and fair parliamentary elections in November 2005; (2) guarantee opposition party participation; and (3) guarantee freedom of speech and assembly. Calls upon the opposition parties to peacefully participate in such elections. Supports Council of Europe recommendations on amendments to the Unified Election Code of Azerbaijan to ensure equitable election commission representation of opposition and pro-government forces. Urges the international community and domestic nongovernmental organizations to provide sufficient election observers. Recognizes the need for establishment of an independent media.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2005
CARE Act of 2005 - Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to charitable giving, including to: (1) allow nonitemizing taxpayers to claim a tax deduction for charitable contributions; (2) permit tax-free distributions from individual retirement accounts for charitable purposes; (3) expand the tax deductions for charitable contributions of food and book inventories; (4) allow an increased tax deduction for charitable contributions of literary, musical, artistic, and scholarly compositions; and (5) exclude from gross income reimbursements to volunteers for the charitable use of an automobile. Revises various disclosure and oversight requirements relating to tax-exempt organizations. Restores and increases funding for the Social Services Block Grant Program. Savings for Working Families Act of 2005 - Allows certain low income individuals to establish individual development accounts (IDAs) to accumulate assets for homeownership, education, business startup, and other purposes. Allows an investment tax credit for contributions to an IDA. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Corporation for National and Community Service, the U.S. Attorney General, and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to award grants to, and enter into cooperative agreements with, nongovernmental organizations to assist nonprofit community-based organizations in delivering social services. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to contract for an evaluation of maternity group homes under the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2005
Iran Nonproliferation Amendments Act of 2005 - Amends the Iran Nonproliferation Act of 2000 to state that the definition of "extraordinary payments in connection with the International Space Station" does not mean U.S. cash or in-kind payments under the Agreement Concerning Cooperation on the Civil International Space Station, with annex, signed at Washington January 29, 1998, and entered into force March 27, 2001, or any protocol, agreement, memorandum of understanding, or contract related thereto (Agreement), to January 1, 2012. (Under such Act the United States is prohibited from making such payments to the Russian Aviation and Space Agency unless specified determinations are made with respect to Russian cooperation in preventing proliferation to Iran, or to a foreign person identified as contributing to proliferation to Iran.) Directs the President to submit to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on International Relations of the House of Representatives a report that identifies each Russian entity or person to whom the United States has, since the date of enactment of this Act, made a cash or in-kind payment under the Agreement. Requires such report to include: (1) the purpose of each payment; and (2) with respect to each such payment, an assessment that the payment was not prejudicial to preventing the proliferation of ballistic or cruise missile systems in Iran and other countries that have supported acts of international terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2005
Vaccines for the New Millennium Act of 2005 - Directs the President to establish a strategy to accelerate efforts to develop vaccines and microbicides for neglected diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis, which shall: (1) expand public-private partnerships; (2) create economic incentives for such vaccines' research, development, and manufacturing; (3) include the negotiation of advanced market commitments; (4) address related intellectual property and regulatory approval issues; (5) maximize U.S. capabilities to support clinical trials in developing countries; (6) expand the purchase and delivery of existing vaccines; and (7) address the challenges of advance delivery of vaccines in developing countries. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) enter into negotiations with the World Bank, the International Development Association, Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations, and other interested parties to establish advanced market commitments to purchase such vaccines and microbicides; and (2) establish in the Treasury the Lifesaving Vaccine Purchase Fund. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish business credits for: (1) vaccine research related to HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, or certain infectious diseases afflicting developing countries; and (2) certain sales of lifesaving vaccines to nonprofit organizations, or to foreign governments or instrumentalities for distribution in developing countries. Amends the Small Business Act to: (1) direct the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish a four-year pilot program to encourage the development of such vaccines and microbicides, including program outreach activities; and (2) provide Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer Program (STTR) funding for such vaccines and microbicides.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2005
Expresses the sense of the Senate: (1) that the leaders of Kosovo and Serbia and Montenegro and the representatives of the United Nations should work toward a Kosovo agreement on the future status of Kosovo and a plan for transformation in Kosovo; (2) with respect to what such agreement and plan should do; (3) that the discussions of the long-term status of Kosovo should result in a plan for implementing the Standards for Kosovo; and (4) concerning Kosovo, Serbia and Montenegro, and the United Nations respecting requirements during the negotiations related to the long-term status of Kosovo.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2005
National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program Reauthorization Act of 2005 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services to waive requirements for awarding breast and cervical cancer grants to states if certain conditions are met, including that the Secretary finds that granting such a waiver will not reduce the number of women in the state receiving examinations and screening for breast and cervical cancers nor the quality of such services. Provides that such waivers are for two-year periods. Requires the Secretary to review performance under the waiver and allows the Secretary to extend such waivers. Authorizes appropriations for such grants through FY2011.
United States · United States Congress · 7 September 2005
Acknowledges Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist's lifelong service to the United States. Commends his 33-year tenure on the U.S. Supreme Court and his many accomplishments as Chief Justice. Extends sympathy to his family and friends.
United States · United States Congress · 6 September 2005
Declares that the Senate: (1) expresses the condolences of the Nation to the victims of Hurricane Katrina; (2) commends the resiliency and courage of the people of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama; and (3) commits to provide the necessary resources and to stand by the people of such states in the relief, recovery, and rebuilding efforts.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2005
Nurse Faculty Education Act of 2005 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Health Resources and Services Administration, to establish a Nurse Faculty Education Program to ensure an adequate supply of nurse faculty through the awarding of grants to eligible entities to: (1) provide support for hiring new faculty, retaining existing faculty, and purchasing educational resources; (2) provide for increasing enrollment and graduation rates for students from doctoral programs; and (3) assist graduates in serving as nurse faculty in nursing schools. Sets forth provisions regarding eligibility requirements and permissible uses of grant funds. Directs the Secretary to give priority to entities from states and territories that have a lower number of employed nurses per 100,000 population. Directs the Secretary to award specified numbers and amounts of grants for FY2006-FY2010, subject to specified limitations. Directs: (1) the Secretary to evaluate and report to Congress on the results of activities carried out under such grants; and (2) the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress concerning activities to increase participation in the nurse educator program.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2005
Commends the Iraqi people's progress toward establishment of a representative democratic government. Recognizes: (1) the importance of ensuring women in Iraq have equal rights under the law and in society; and (2) the importance of ensuring women's rights in all legislation, with special attention to preserving women's equal rights under family, property, and inheritance laws. Encourages Iraq's Transitional National Assembly to adopt a constitution that grants women equal rights under the law and to work to protect such rights. Expresses support for: (1) the continued participation of women in the Iraqi National Assembly and in all levels of the government; and (2) the efforts of Iraqi women to fully participate in a democratic Iraq.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2005
Encourages expanded efforts to alleviate hunger in developing countries, and pledges to support international hunger relief efforts. Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the United States should use financial and diplomatic resources to work with other donors to ensure that food aid programs receive all necessary funding and supplies; and (2) food aid should be provided in conjunction with measures to alleviate hunger, malnutrition, and poverty.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2005
Senate Campaign Disclosure Parity Act - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to require Senate candidates to file election-related designations, statements, and reports in electronic form. Requires the Secretary of the Senate to forward a copy of any electronically filed designation, statement, or report to the Federal Election Commission within one working day (instead of the current two working days) after receiving it.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2005
Commends the people of Sudan on the signing of the January 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement, and urges the government of National Unity of Sudan to fully implement the Agreement. Requests that the U.S. government closely monitor the Agreement's implementation and events on the ground in Sudan, including in Darfur. Urges the U.S. government to: (1) maintain sanctions on the government of Sudan until the Agreement's implementation; and (2) renew efforts to implement additional sanctions through the U.N. Security Council until peace in Darfur is achieved and those responsible for genocide and other crimes are brought to justice. Urges the government of National Unity of Sudan to use the Agreement as the basis for peaceful resolution of the conflicts in Darfur and other areas of Sudan. Supports: (1) expansion of the African Union's mission in Darfur, encouraging its continued support from the United States, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and other countries and international organizations; (2) the U.N. mission in the Sudan and its expansion to protect civilians and aid workers throughout Sudan; (3) U.S. humanitarian and reconstruction assistance to the southern Sudan and Darfur; and (4) international efforts to facilitate the safe return of refugees and internationally displaced persons in Sudan. Calls upon the governments of all countries in the Sudan region and around the world to support and monitor the Agreement's full implementation.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2005
Free Flow of Information Act of 2005 - Prohibits a federal entity from compelling a "covered person" (i.e., a newspaper, television broadcast station, wire service, or other media outlet, and specified employees and contractors) to testify or produce any document unless a court determines that: (1) the party seeking to compel has unsuccessfully attempted to obtain such testimony or document from all other non-covered persons; (2) in a criminal matter, there are reasonable grounds to believe a crime has occurred and the testimony or document sought is essential to the investigation, prosecution, or defense of the crime; (3) in a non-criminal matter, the testimony or document is essential to a dispositive issue of substantial importance; and (4) in any matter in which testimony or a document could reveal the source's identity, disclosure is necessary to prevent imminent and actual harm to national security and such harm outweighs the public interest in protecting the free flow of information. Requires the content of compelled testimony or documents to be limited and narrowly tailored. Exempts certain commercial or financial information. Makes this Act applicable to testimony or documents that a third party or federal entity seeks from a communications service provider relating to business transactions with a covered person. Sets forth notice requirements. Permits a court to delay notice to a covered person upon determining that such notice would pose a substantial threat to the integrity of a criminal investigation.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2005
Declares August 31, 2005, to be Solidarity Day in the United States to recognize the 25th anniversary of the establishment in Poland of the Solidarity Trade Union. Honors the people of Poland who risked their lives to restore liberty in Poland and to return Poland to the democratic community of nations. Calls on the people of the United States to remember the struggle and sacrifice of the people of Poland and that the results of that struggle contributed to the fall of communism and the ultimate end of the Cold War.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2005
Designates the federal building in Kingston, Jamaica (formerly known as the Crowne Plaza and now a staff housing facility for the U.S. mission in Jamaica) as the "Colin L. Powell Residential Plaza."
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2005
United Nations Management, Personnel, and Policy Reform Act of 2005 - Expresses the sense of Congress and sets forth congressional findings concerning the United Nations' need to: (1) institute effective management techniques and procurement procedures; (2) develop a uniformly professional international civil service; (3) improve budgeting procedures; (4) improve peacekeeping forces; (5) reorient and streamline human rights mechanisms; and (6) strengthen the independence of the Office of Internal Oversight Services, protect whistleblowers, and create a mechanism to oversee auditing and to track management and personnel reforms. Requires the President to report annually to the appropriate congressional committees on U.N. reforms. Authorizes the President to withhold 50% of U.S. annual contributions if the United Nations is not making sufficient progress in implementing such reforms.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2005
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable Gaylord A. Nelson, a former member of the United States Senate from Wisconsin. Declares that when the Senate adjourns on July 11, 2005, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of Senator Nelson.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2005
Affirms that the first amendment of the Constitution guarantees freedom of the press. Proclaims that no purpose is served by imprisoning journalists Judith Miller and Matthew Cooper (who face prison sentences for contempt for refusing to disclose confidential sources).
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2005
Declares that the Senate: (1) expresses deepest sympathies and condolences to the people of the United Kingdom and the victims and their families for the heinous terrorist attacks that occurred in London on July 7, 2005; (2) condemns these barbaric and unwarranted attacks on the innocent people of London; (3) expresses strong and continued solidarity with the people of the United Kingdom and pledges to remain shoulder-to-shoulder with them to bring the terrorists responsible for these brutal attacks to justice; and (4) calls upon the international community to renew and strengthen efforts to defeat terrorists by dismantling terrorist networks and exposing the violent and nihilistic ideology of terrorism, increase international cooperation to advance personal and religious freedoms, ethnic and racial tolerance, political liberty and pluralism, and economic prosperity, and combat the social injustice, oppression, poverty, and extremism that breeds terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2005
Multilateral Debt Relief Act of 2005 - Authorizes: (1) the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. executive director of each international financial institution (the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the Inter-American Development Bank, the African Development Bank, and the African Development Fund) to reach an agreement among the shareholders to permanently cancel 100 percent of the debts owed to each such institution by an eligible country (as defined by this Act); and (2) appropriations for the U.S. contribution to such agreement if other members of the international financial institutions contribute funds for such purpose. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary should pursue additional bilateral and multilateral debt relief for each country eligible for International Development Association grants. Amends the International Development Association Act to authorize, and authorize appropriations for, the U.S. Governor of the Association to contribute necessary sums to the fourteenth replenishment of the Association. Amends the African Development Fund Act to authorize, and authorize appropriations for, The U.S. Governor of the Fund to contribute necessary sums to the tenth replenishment of the Fund. Authorizes appropriations to fulfill U.S. commitments to the Enhanced HIPC Initiative (as defined by this Act).
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2005
Improved Nutrition and Physical Activity Act or the IMPACT Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to expand an existing grant program for training for health profession students to include the treatment of overweight, obesity, and eating disorders. Allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants for the training of primary care physicians and other health professions on how to identify, treat, and prevent obesity or eating disorders and aid individuals who are overweight, obese, or who suffer from eating disorders. Requires the Secretary, acting though the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to award grants for the planning and implementation of programs that promote healthy eating behaviors and physical activity. Allows the Secretary, acting through the National Center for Health Statistics, to provide for the collection and analysis of data for determining the fitness levels and energy expenditures of children and data collected as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Requires the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to review the research to determine if the information might be important for the health disparities report. Permits states to use preventive health and health services block grants for activities and community education programs designed to address and prevent obesity and eating disorders. Requires the Secretary to report to the relevant congressional committees on: (1) the causes and health implications of being overweight, obese, or having an eating disorder; and (2) the effectiveness of campaigns to change children's behaviors and reduce obesity.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2005
International Cooperation to Meet the Millennium Development Goals Act of 2005 - Directs the Secretary of State to report to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and the House Committee on International Relations respecting the international community's progress toward achieving the Millennium Development Goals. Sets forth report requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2005
Bone Marrow and Cord Blood Therapy and Research Act of 2005 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to contract with qualified cord blood stem cell banks to assist in the collection and maintenance of cord blood to be made available for transplantation through the Bone Marrow and Cord Blood Cell Transplantation Program. Requires the Secretary to require that recipients of such contracts: (1) acquire and store donated units of human cord blood; and (2) make collected cord blood units available for stem cell transplantation or, if not appropriate for clinical use, available for peer-reviewed research. Requires the Secretary to establish a demonstration project for the collection and storage of cord blood units for a family where a relative has been diagnosed with a condition that will benefit from transplantation. Amends the Public Health Service Act to rewrite provisions requiring the Secretary to establish and maintain a National Bone Marrow Donor Registry to require the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to establish and maintain the Bone Marrow and Cord Blood Cell Transplantation Program to increase the number of transplants for recipients suitably matched to biologically unrelated donors of bone marrow and cord blood. Requires the Secretary to establish a related Advisory Council. Prescribes new requirements for the Program, including: (1) operating a system for listing, searching, and facilitating the distribution of donated cord blood units; (2) maintaining and expanding medical contingency response capabilities to prepare for and respond effectively to biological, chemical, or radiological attacks and other ublic health emergencies that can damage marrow; and (3) carrying out recruitment programs and educational activities. Requires the Secretary to: (1) enforce quality standards and donor selection criteria; (2) establish an office of patient advocacy; and (3) establish a scientific database of outcome information.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2005
Welcomes the European Union leadership to the 2005 United States-European Union Summit in Washington, DC. Highlights the importance of the United States and the European Union working together to address global challenges. Recommends: (1) expanded political dialogue between Congress and the European Parliament; and (2) that the Summit focus on both short and long-term measures to expand the transatlantic relationship. Encourages: (1) adoption of practical measures to expand the United States-European Union economic relationship by reducing obstacles to economic integration; and (2) expanded cooperation between Congress and the European Parliament on global security issues.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 2005
Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2005 - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to: (1) provide grants and low-cost revolving loans, on a competitive basis, to certain governmental and nonprofit agencies for projects to reduce diesel emissions; and (2) support grant and loan programs administered by the states to achieve reductions in diesel emissions. Requires the allocation of at least 50 percent of the funding under this Act for the benefit of public fleets. Requires the Administrator to give priority to proposed projects that will, among other things: (1) maximize public health benefits; (2) serve areas with the highest population density that are poor air quality or nonattainment areas; and (3) maximize the useful life of any retrofit technology. Requires the Administrator to submit to Congress a biennial report evaluating the implementation of programs under this Act. Directs the Administrator to establish a program for informing industry stakeholders (e.g., equipment manufacturers, state and local air quality managers, community organizations, and public health and environmental organizations) and foreign countries with air quality programs of the benefits and uses of technologies for diesel emission reductions.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 2005
Recognizes Burmese democracy activist and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi as a symbol of the spirit and dedication of the people of Burma who are struggling for freedom, human rights, and justice. Calls for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and all prisoners of conscience who are held by the State Peace and Development Council, the illegitimate military junta in power in Burma. Urges Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to initiate a discussion of the Council's repressive practices during the 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations regional forum and post-ministerial meeting scheduled to take place in July 2005 in Vientiane, Laos.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2005
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable J. James Exon, former United States Senator for Nebraska. Declares that when the Senate adjourns on June 13, 2005, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of Senator Exon.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2005
National Security and Bioenergy Investment Act of 2005 - Amends the Biomass Research and Development Act of 2000 to redefine "biomass." Revises provisions respecting: (1) Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory Committee membership; (2) the Biomass Research and Development Initiative; (3) reports; and (4) funding. Eliminates the termination date for authority under such Act. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) conduct a research, development, and demonstration program on the economic production and use of hydrogen from biofuels, with emphasis on the rural transportation and rural electrical generation sectors; (2) establish an incentive program for the production of cellulosic biofuels; and (3) make small business bioproduct marketing and certification grants; (4) make regional bioeconomy development grants; (5) make preprocessing and harvesting demonstration grants; and (6) contract for a biobased fuels and products education program. Directs the Secretary to establish a position of Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Energy and Biobased Products, who shall be responsible for: (1) energy programs under title IX of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002; and (2) all other programs and initiatives that the Secretary considers appropriate. Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 respecting federal biobased product procurement. Directs the Architect of the Capitol to establish in the Capitol Complex a public education program regarding biobased product use by the Architect. Expresses the sense of the Senate that Congress should amend the tax code to encourage investment in, and production and use of, biobased fuels and biobased products through investment tax credits for small manufacturers and facilities construction.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2005
Gynecologic Cancer Education and Awareness Act of 2005 or Johanna's Law - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out a national campaign to increase the awareness and knowledge of women with respect to gynecologic cancers, which shall include: (1) maintaining a supply of written materials to provide information to the public on gynecologic cancers; and (2) developing and placing public service announcements to encourage women to discuss their risks of gynecologic cancers with their physicians. Requires the Secretary to award grants to nonprofit private entities to test different outreach and education strategies for increasing such awareness among women and health professionals.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2005
Treatment of Children's Deformities Act of 2005 - Amends the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), and the Internal Revenue Code to require a group health plan, and a health issuer offering group health insurance coverage, that cover surgical benefits to also cover outpatient and inpatient diagnosis and treatment of a child's congenital or developmental deformity, disease, or injury. Requires that such coverage: (1) be subject to pre-authorization or pre-certification requirements of the plan or issuer; and (2) include any surgical treatment deemed by the treating physician to be medically necessary to approximate a normal appearance. Defines "treatment" to include reconstructive surgical procedures that are performed on abnormal structures of the body caused by congenital defects, abnormalities, trauma, infection, tumors, or disease, including: (1) procedures that do not materially affect the function of the body part being treated; and (2) procedures for secondary conditions and follow-up treatment. Excludes cosmetic surgery performed to reshape normal structures of the body to improve appearance or self-esteem.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2005
Development Bank Reform and Authorization Act of 2005 - Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to seek the creation of a pilot program that establishes an Anti-Corruption Trust at the World Bank, whose purposes shall include: (1) assisting poor countries in investigations and prosecutions of fraud and corruption related to a Bank loan, grant, or credit; and (2) determining whether such a pilot program should be carried out at other multilateral development banks. Directs the Secretary to monitor pilot program fund use. Amends the International Financial Institutions Act to direct the Secretary to use U.S. influence to promote goals at multilateral development banks (the African Development Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Inter-American Development Bank, the World Bank, and their subsidiaries or affiliates) relating to: (1) transparency; (2) financial disclosure; (3) anti-corruption; (4) enhanced auditing; (5) compensation for people negatively affected by bank projects; (6) borrower country qualifications; and (7) resource dependent country revenue transparency. Expresses the sense of Congress in support of the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative and the 2003 and 2004 G-8 agreements. Amends the International Development Association Act to authorize the contribution of specified sums on behalf of the United States to the fourteenth replenishment of the International Development Association. Amends the African Development Fund Act to authorize the contribution of specified sums on behalf of the United States to the tenth replenishment of the Fund. Amends the Asian Development Bank Act to authorize the contribution of specified sums on behalf of the United States to the eighth replenishment of the Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2005
Expresses the sense of Congress commending the President and foreign governments that have participated in the Proliferation Security Initiative for the historic efforts and successes of the Proliferation Security Initiative in reducing the threat posed by illicit trafficking in weapons of mass destruction, their means of delivery, and related materials.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2005
Hunger-Free Communities Act of 2005 - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) Congress is committed to achieving domestic hunger goals and ending hunger by 2015; (2) federal food and nutrition programs should receive adequate funding; and (3) the entitlement nature of the child and adult care food program, the food stamp program, the school breakfast and lunch programs, and the summer food service program should be preserved. Directs: (1) the American Communities Survey to collect and submit food security information to the Secretary of Agriculture; and (2) the Secretary to conduct an annual study of hunger in the United States and develop recommendations on reducing domestic hunger. Directs the Secretary to make: (1) hunger-free communities collaborative grants to eligible public food program service providers or nonprofit organizations; (2) hunger-free communities infrastructure grants to eligible emergency feeding organizations; and (3) hunger-free communities training and technical assistance grants to eligible national or regional nonprofit organizations. (States that such grants' federal share shall not exceed 80 %.) Sets forth grant priorities.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2005
Amends the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act of 2002 to extend by one year (October 26, 2006) the deadline for: (1) installing at all U.S. ports of entry equipment and software capable of processing machine-readable, tamper-resistant entry and exit documents and passports that contain biometric identifiers; (2) Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries to certify that they are issuing machine-readable, tamper-resistant passports that contain biometric and document authentication identifiers comporting with specified standards; and (3) VWP participants who are issued passports on or after the new deadline to present passports that comply with such requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2005
Welcomes the first democratically-elected President of Afghanistan, President Hamid Karzai, as an honored guest and friend upon his May 2005 visit to the United States. Supports: (1) a democratic and prosperous Afghanistan as vital to U.S. security; and (2) a strategic partnership between the United States and Afghanistan as a primary objective of both countries.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2005
Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005 - Amends Federal monetary law to set forth requirements for the redesign and issuance of circulating $1 coins emblematic of each President of the United States. Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury (Secretary) to issue bullion coins emblematic of the spouse of each such President during the same period in which the $1 coins are issued. Expresses the sense of Congress about the issuance of such coins. Instructs the Secretary to strike and issue for sale $20 gold bullion coins initially bearing the original designs by James Earle Fraser, which appear on the 5-cent coin commonly referred to as the "Buffalo nickel" or the "1913 Type 1." Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue 1-cent coins during the year 2009, whose obverse design continues to bear the Victor David Brenner likeness of President Abraham Lincoln, and whose reverse design bears four different designs each representing a different aspect of Lincoln's life.
![Official portrait of Sen. Lugar, Richard G. [R-IN]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/l000504_200.jpg)