United States · United States Congress · 7 April 2006
Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006 - Sets forth border security and enforcement provisions, including provisions respecting: (1) personnel and asset increases and enhancements; (2) a National Strategy for Border Security; (3) border security initiatives, including biometric data enhancements and a biometric entry-exit system, document integrity, and mandatory detention of aliens apprehended at or between ports of entry; and (4) Central American gangs. Border Tunnel Prevention Act - Provides criminal penalties for construction, financing, or use of illegal border tunnels or passages. Border Law Enforcement Relief Act of 2006 - Authorizes a border relief grant program for a tribal, state, or local law enforcement agency in a county: (1) no more than 100 miles from a U.S. border with Canada or Mexico; or (2) more than 100 miles from any such border but which is a high impact area. Sets forth interior enforcement provisions, including provisions respecting: (1) alien terrorists; (2) alien street gang members; (3) illegal entry and reentry; (4) passport and immigration fraud; (5) criminal aliens; (6) voluntary departure; (7) detention and alternatives; (8) criminal penalties; (9) alien smuggling; (10) tribal lands security; (11) state and local enforcement of immigration laws; (12) expedited removal; and (13) alien protection from sex offenders. Makes it unlawful to knowingly hire, recruit, or refer for a fee an unauthorized alien. Establishes in the Treasury the Employer Compliance Fund. Provides for additional worksite and fraud detection personnel. Provides for a report examining the impacts of the current and proposed annual grants of legal status, including immigrant and nonimmigrant status, along with the current level of illegal immigration, on U.S. infrastructure and quality of life. Establishes a temporary guest worker program (H-2C visa). Provides: (1) that the Secretary of Homeland Security shall determine H-2C eligibility; (2) for a three-year admission with one additional three-year extension; (3) issuance of H-4 nonimmigrant visas for accompanying or following spouse and children; (4) for U.S. worker protection; (5) for implementation of an alien employment management system; and (6) establishment of a Temporary Worker Task Force. Expands the S-visa (witness/informant) classification. Limits the L-visa (intracompany transfer) classification. Fairness in Immigration Litigation Act of 2006 - Sets forth provisions respecting remedies for immigration legislation. Sets forth backlog reduction provisions respecting: (1) family-sponsored and employment-based immigrant levels; (2) country limits; (3) immigrant visa allocations; (4) minor children; (5) shortage occupations; and (6) student and advanced degree visas. Widows and Orphans Act of 2006 - Establishes a special immigrant category for certain children and women at risk of harm. Immigrant Accountability Act of 2006 - Provides permanent resident status adjustment for a qualifying illegal alien (and the spouse and children of such alien) who has been in the United States for five years and employed (with exceptions) for specified periods of time. Authorizes mandatory departure and immigrant or nonimmigrant reentry for a qualifying illegal alien who has been present and employed in the United States since January 7, 2004. Establishes a three-year mandatory departure status, and sets forth immigration prohibitions and penalties for failure to depart or delayed departure. Subjects the spouse or children of a principal alien to the same conditions as such alien, except that if such alien meets the departure requirement the spouse and children will be deemed to have done so. Agricultural Job Opportunities, Benefits, and Security Act of 2006, or AgJOBS Act of 2006 - Establishes a pilot program (Blue Card program) for adjustment to permanent resident status of qualifying agricultural workers who have worked in the United States during the two-year period ending December 31, 2005, and have been employed for specified periods of time subsequent to enactment of this Act. Revises the H-2A (temporary agricultural worker) program. Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act of 2006 or the DREAM Act of 2006 - Eliminates denial of an unlawful alien's eligibility for higher education benefits based on state residence unless a U.S. national is similarly eligible without regard to such state residence. Authorizes cancellation of removal and adjustment to conditional permanent resident status of certain alien students who are long-term U.S. residents. Sets forth provisions respecting: (1) additional Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Justice immigration personnel; and (2) the Board of Immigration Appeals. Kendell Frederick Citizenship Assistance Act - Provides that fingerprints provided by a qualifying individual at the time of military enlistment shall satisfy naturalization fingerprint requirements. Requires the Secretary of Defense to establish the position of Citizenship Advocate at each military entry processing station. State Court Interpreter Grant Program Act - Provides state courts grants to assist individuals with limited English proficiency to access and understand court proceedings, and allocates funds for a related court interpreter technical assistance program. Border Infrastructure and Technology Modernization Act - Provides for: (1) a port of entry infrastructure assessment study; (2) a national land border security plan; and (3) a port of entry technology demonstration program. September 11 Family Humanitarian Relief and Patriotism Act - Provides permanent resident status adjustment or cancellation of removal and permanent resident status adjustment for a qualifying alien who was on September 10, 2001, the wife, child, or dependent son or daughter of a lawful nonimmigrant alien who died as a result of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks against the United States. Sets forth provisions respecting: (1) noncitizen Armed Forces membership; (2) nonimmigrant status for athletes; (3) extension of returning worker exemption; (4) surveillance programs, including aerial and unmanned aerial surveillance; (5) a Northern Border Prosecution Initiative; (6) reimbursement of Southern Border State and county prosecutors for prosecuting federally initiated drug cases; (7) conditional nonimmigrant worker-related grants; (8) border security on federal land; and (9) parole and status adjustment relief for qualifying widows and orphans.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 2006
Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006 - Sets forth border security and enforcement provisions, including provisions respecting: (1) personnel and asset increases and enhancements; (2) a National Strategy for Border Security; (3) border security initiatives, including biometric data enhancements and a biometric entry-exit system, document integrity, and mandatory detention of aliens apprehended at or between ports of entry; and (4) Central American gangs. Border Tunnel Prevention Act - Provides criminal penalties for construction, financing, or use of illegal border tunnels or passages. Border Law Enforcement Relief Act of 2006 - Authorizes a border relief grant program for a tribal, state, or local law enforcement agency in a county: (1) no more than 100 miles from a U.S. border with Canada or Mexico; or (2) more than 100 miles from any such border but which is a high impact area. Sets forth interior enforcement provisions, including provisions respecting: (1) alien terrorists; (2) alien street gang members; (3) illegal entry and reentry; (4) passport and immigration fraud; (5) criminal aliens; (6) voluntary departure; (7) detention and alternatives; (8) criminal penalties; (9) alien smuggling; (10) tribal lands security; (11) state and local enforcement of immigration laws; (12) expedited removal; and (13) alien protection from sex offenders. Makes it unlawful to knowingly hire, recruit, or refer for a fee an unauthorized alien. Establishes in the Treasury the Employer Compliance Fund. Provides for additional worksite and fraud detection personnel. Provides for a report examining the impacts of the current and proposed annual grants of legal status, including immigrant and nonimmigrant status, along with the current level of illegal immigration, on U.S. infrastructure and quality of life. Establishes a temporary guest worker program (H-2C visa). Provides: (1) that the Secretary of Homeland Security shall determine H-2C eligibility; (2) for a three-year admission with one additional three-year extension; (3) issuance of H-4 nonimmigrant visas for accompanying or following spouse and children; (4) for U.S. worker protection; (5) for implementation of an alien employment management system; and (6) establishment of a Temporary Worker Task Force. Expands the S-visa (witness/informant) classification. Limits the L-visa (intracompany transfer) classification. Fairness in Immigration Litigation Act of 2006 - Sets forth provisions respecting remedies for immigration legislation. Sets forth backlog reduction provisions respecting: (1) family-sponsored and employment-based immigrant levels; (2) country limits; (3) immigrant visa allocations; (4) minor children; (5) shortage occupations; and (6) student and advanced degree visas. Widows and Orphans Act of 2006 - Establishes a special immigrant category for certain children and women at risk of harm. Immigrant Accountability Act of 2006 - Provides permanent resident status adjustment for a qualifying illegal alien (and the spouse and children of such alien) who has been in the United States for five years and employed (with exceptions) for specified periods of time. Authorizes mandatory departure and immigrant or nonimmigrant reentry for a qualifying illegal alien who has been present and employed in the United States since January 7, 2004. Establishes a three-year mandatory departure status, and sets forth immigration prohibitions and penalties for failure to depart or delayed departure. Subjects the spouse or children of a principal alien to the same conditions as such alien, except that if such alien meets the departure requirement the spouse and children will be deemed to have done so. Agricultural Job Opportunities, Benefits, and Security Act of 2006, or AgJOBS Act of 2006 - Establishes a pilot program (Blue Card program) for adjustment to permanent resident status of qualifying agricultural workers who have worked in the United States during the two-year period ending December 31, 2005, and have been employed for specified periods of time subsequent to enactment of this Act. Revises the H-2A (temporary agricultural worker) program. Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act of 2006 or the DREAM Act of 2006 - Eliminates denial of an unlawful alien's eligibility for higher education benefits based on state residence unless a U.S. national is similarly eligible without regard to such state residence. Authorizes cancellation of removal and adjustment to conditional permanent resident status of certain alien students who are long-term U.S. residents. Sets forth provisions respecting: (1) additional Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Justice immigration personnel; and (2) the Board of Immigration Appeals. Kendell Frederick Citizenship Assistance Act - Provides that fingerprints provided by a qualifying individual at the time of military enlistment shall satisfy naturalization fingerprint requirements. Requires the Secretary of Defense to establish the position of Citizenship Advocate at each military entry processing station. State Court Interpreter Grant Program Act - Provides state courts grants to assist individuals with limited English proficiency to access and understand court proceedings, and allocates funds for a related court interpreter technical assistance program. Border Infrastructure and Technology Modernization Act - Provides for: (1) a port of entry infrastructure assessment study; (2) a national land border security plan; and (3) a port of entry technology demonstration program. September 11 Family Humanitarian Relief and Patriotism Act - Provides permanent resident status adjustment or cancellation of removal and permanent resident status adjustment for a qualifying alien who was on September 10, 2001, the wife, child, or dependent son or daughter of a lawful nonimmigrant alien who died as a result of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks against the United States. Sets forth provisions respecting: (1) noncitizen Armed Forces membership; (2) nonimmigrant status for athletes; (3) extension of returning worker exemption; (4) surveillance programs, including aerial and unmanned aerial surveillance; (5) a Northern Border Prosecution Initiative; (6) reimbursement of Southern Border State and county prosecutors for prosecuting federally initiated drug cases; (7) conditional nonimmigrant worker-related grants; (8) border security on federal land; and (9) parole and status adjustment relief for qualifying widows and orphans.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 2006
Disaster Recovery Personal Protection Act of 2006 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to prohibit any U.S. officer or employee, or person operating under color of federal law, under control of a federal official, or providing services to such person, while acting in support of relief from a major disaster or emergency, from: (1) seizing, or authorizing seizure of, any firearm the possession of which is not prohibited under federal or state law, other than for forfeiture in compliance with federal law or as evidence in a criminal investigation; (2) requiring registration of any firearm for which registration is not required by federal or state law; (3) prohibiting possession of any firearm in any place or by any person where such possession is not otherwise prohibited; or (4) prohibiting the carrying of a firearm by any person otherwise authorized to carry firearms, solely because such person is operating under the direction, control, or supervision of a federal agency in support of relief from a major disaster or emergency. Authorizes any individual aggrieved by a violation of this Act to seek relief by bringing an action for redress and by bringing a civil action in U.S. district court for return of a confiscated firearm.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2006
Cooperative Proliferation Detection, Interdiction Assistance, and Conventional Threat Reduction Act of 2006 - Cooperative Proliferation Detection and Interdiction Assistance Act of 2006 - 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. Conventional Arms Disarmament Act of 2006 - 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. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to establish a consolidated Nonproliferation, Anti-Terrorism, Demining, and Related Programs Account for the purpose of carrying out specified nonproliferation, anti-terrorism, demining, and related programs and activities.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2006
Condemns the statements issued by the Iranian president. Calls on the United Nations (UN) Security Council to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Urges the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) to ban persons or groups representing Iran from sanctioned international sporting competition, including the World Cup, until Iran: (1) rescinds its position disavowing the Holocaust; (2) repudiates its calls for the eradication of Israel; (3) ends its support for terrorism; and (4) ceases its pursuit of nuclear weapons.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2006
Commends the University of Florida men's basketball team for winning the 2006 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Basketball Championship.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2006
Recognizes the significant contributions of U.S. youth and encourages the cultivation of a common civic bond between young people dedicated to serving their neighbors, their communities, and the Nation. Designates April 21, 2006, as National and Global Youth Service Day.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2006
Byron Nelson Congressional Gold Medal Act - Provides for the presentation of a congressional gold medal to Byron Nelson in recognition of his contributions to the game of golf as a player, teacher, and commentator.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2006
Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of the American Latino Community Act of 2006 - Establishes the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of the American Latino Community to develop a plan of action for the establishment and maintenance of a National Museum of the American Latino Community in Washington, D.C.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2006
Designates April 2006 as Financial Literacy Month to raise public awareness about the importance of financial education in the United States and the serious consequences that may be associated with a lack of understanding about personal finances.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2006
Urges reconciliation among the people of Haiti, including a government led by President-elect Rene Preval that respects the rights of all political parties. Supports the holding of the second round of parliamentary elections as soon as possible while stressing the importance of a free and open process. Expresses thanks to the countries that have contributed personnel to the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), particularly Brazil. Encourages MINUSTAH to maintain current troop levels and to raise the numbers of UNPOL police forces. Urges the international community to continue to support MINUSTAH, fulfill previous 2004 donor pledges, and plan for a new multi-year commitment of support. Recommends: (1) the creation of an effective demobilization, disarmament, and reintegration program to encompass former military members and gangs; and (2) that the new government cooperate fully with MINUSTAH in assuring police and judiciary reform. Supports U.S. reconstruction assistance for Haiti.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2006
Emergency Agricultural Disaster Assistance Act of 2006 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide emergency financial assistance to eligible agricultural producers (other than sugar cane and sugar beet producers) who have incurred qualifying 2005 crop losses due to weather or related conditions (including crop disease, insects, and delayed harvest). Directs the Secretary to provide: (1) payments through the 2002 livestock compensation program to livestock producers who have incurred 2005 losses in emergency-designated counties; (2) livestock indemnity payments to producers who have incurred 2005 livestock disaster losses, including losses due to hurricanes, floods, and anthrax; (3) indemnity payments to poultry producers in hurricane-affected counties; (4) compensation for certain owners of flooded crop and grazing land in North Dakota; (5) sugarcane and sugar beet disaster assistance for qualifying producers and first processors in Louisiana counties designated as disaster areas due to Hurricanes Katrina or Rita, or to qualifying producers and first processors in Florida for 2005 losses due to hurricanes, floods, rain, or storms; (6) assistance to specialty and nursery crop producers in hurricane-affected counties; (7) assistance to dairy producers in hurricane-affected counties; (8) assistance to producers and first handlers of cottonseed; (9) grants for agricultural promotion; (10) supplemental economic loss payments under a specified rate to producers who received crop year 2005 commodity assistance; and (11) assistance to tree producers (including Christmas, potted, ornamental, and nursery trees, shrubs, and vines) in hurricane-affected counties. Authorizes the Secretary to provide: (1) financial and technical assistance to remove debris and animal carcasses that could adversely affect health and safety on non-federal land in hurricane-affected counties; and (2) immunizations to Department of Agriculture employees involved in direct recovery work in hurricane-affected counties. Directs the Secretary to hire additional state and county Farm Service Agency personnel to assist in agricultural disaster and economic assistance programs.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2006
Protecting Consumer Phone Records Act - Makes it unlawful for a person to: (1) acquire or use an individual's customer proprietary network information (CPNI) without written consent; (2) misrepresent that another person has consented to the acquisition of CPNI in order to obtain such information; (3) obtain unauthorized access to data processing systems or records in order to obtain such information; (4) sell, or offer to sell, CPNI; or (5) request that another person obtain CPNI from a telecommunications carrier or IP (Internet Protocol)-enabled voice service provider, knowing that the other person will obtain such information in an unlawful manner. Provides: (1) exceptions; and (2) civil and criminal penalties for violations. Requires enforcement of the requirements of this Act by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and the states. Preempts contrary state law. Directs the FTC and FCC to jointly establish and implement a media and distribution campaign to teach the public about the protection afforded CPNI under this Act, the Federal Trade Commission Act, and the Communications Act of 1934.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2006
Legislative Line Item Veto Act of 2006 - Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to authorize the President to propose the rescission of any dollar amount of discretionary budget authority or the rescission, in whole or in part, of any item of direct spending. Sets forth requirements for the President's transmittal to Congress of a special message regarding a proposed rescission. Requires any rescinded budget authority or items of direct spending to be dedicated only to deficit reduction, and not to be used as an offset for other spending increases. Provides for adjustment of: (1) committee allocations resulting from such rescission; and (3) applicable limits, as appropriate, under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act). Sets forth procedures for expedited congressional consideration of a proposed rescission.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2006
Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act of 2006 - States that it shall be U.S. policy to: (1) support a peaceful, two-state solution to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians in accordance with the Performance-Based Roadmap to a Permanent Two-State Solution to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (Roadmap), and oppose those organizations, individuals, and countries that support terrorism and violently reject such two-state solution; (2) promote democracy and the cessation of terrorism and incitement in institutions and territories controlled by the Palestinian Authority (PA); and (3) urge members of the international community to avoid contact with and refrain from financially supporting the terrorist organization Hamas until it agrees to recognize Israel, renounce violence, disarm, and accept prior agreements, including the Roadmap. Amends the the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to provide assistance under such Act to the PA only during a period for which a presidential certification has determined that: (1) no PA ministry, agency, or instrumentality is controlled by Hamas unless Hamas has publicly acknowledged Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state and is adhering to all previous agreements and understandings with the United States, Israel, and the international community, including agreements and understandings pursuant to the Roadmap; and (2) the PA has made demonstrable progress toward purging from its security services individuals with ties to terrorism, dismantling all terrorist infrastructure and cooperating with Israel's security services, halting anti-American and anti-Israel incitement, and ensuring democracy and financial transparency. Directs the President to make and transmit such certifications to Congress every six months. Provides for, and sets forth the conditions under which, the President may waive such limitations for national security reasons. Prohibits during a period in which a certification is is not in effect (period) with respect to the PA: (1) assistance under this Act to nongovernmental organizations for the West Bank and Gaza (exempts assistance for basic human needs, promotion of democracy, or for national security interests from such limitation); and (2) establishment of an office, headquarters, premises, or other facilities within U.S. jurisdiction at the direction of, or with funds provided by, the PA (with a national security waiver). Expresses the sense of Congress that during any such period the territory controlled by the PA should be deemed to be in use as a terrorist sanctuary for purposes of the Export Administration Act of 1979, and of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1988 and 1989. States that during any such period: (1) a visa should not be issued to any alien who is an official of, affiliated with, or serving as a PA representative, other than the President of the PA and his or her personal representatives, provided that the President of the PA and such personal representatives are not affiliated with Hamas or any other foreign terrorist organization; (2) the President should restrict the travel of PA and Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) officials and representatives, other than the President of the PA and his or her personal representatives, provided that the President of the PA and such personal representatives are not affiliated with Hamas or any other foreign terrorist organization, who are stationed at the United Nations in New York City to a 25-mile radius of the U.N. headquarters building; and (3) the President should direct the executive director at each international financial institution to use U.S. influence to prohibit assistance to the PA (exempts assistance for basic human needs and promotion of democracy from such limitation). Prohibits funds for the State Department from being used by any U.S. officer or employee to negotiate with members or official representatives of Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, or any other Palestinian terrorist organization (except in emergency or humanitarian situations) until such organization: (1) recognizes Israel's right to exist; (2) renounces terrorism; (3) dismantles the terrorist infrastructure; and (4) recognizes all previous agreements and understandings between Israel and the PA.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2006
Louis Braille Bicentennial--Braille Literacy Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue $1 coins emblematic of the life and legacy of Louis Braille, whose design: (1) on the obverse shall bear a representation of the image of Louis Braille; and (2) on the reverse shall emphasize Braille literacy and include the word for Braille in Braille code. Authorizes the Secretary to issue such coins only during 2009. Subjects all coin sales to a surcharge of $10 per coin. Requires all surcharges to be promptly paid by the Secretary to the the National Federation of the Blind to further its programs to promote Braille literacy.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2006
Condemns the continued attacks on civilians in Darfur by the government of Sudan and violations of the N'Djamena Ceasefire Agreement by the government and rebels in Darfur (particularly the Sudan Liberation Army). Commends the Africa Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) in monitoring the Agreement in Darfur and its role in diminishing some acts of violence. Calls on: (1) all parties to abide by the terms of the Agreement and engage in good-faith negotiations to end the conflict in Darfur; (2) the government of Sudan to withdraw all military aircraft from the region, to cease all support for the Janjaweed militia and rebels from Chad, and to disarm the Janjaweed; and (3) the African Union to request assistance from the United Nations (U.N.) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to deter violence and instability until a U.N. peacekeeping force is deployed in Darfur. Urges the President to take steps to help improve the security situation in Darfur, including calling upon NATO allies, led by the United States, to support a NATO mission in Darfur and the AMIS.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 2006
Urges: (1) the Sudan government to continue to prosecute Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) terrorists and aid Uganda in ending the conflict there; (2) Uganda to use all available resources to end LRA atrocities and bring its members to justice; (3) the United States and the international community to recognize the atrocities and provide necessary humanitarian assistance; and (4) designation of February 2-February 9, 2006, as a National Week of Prayer and Reflection for the people of Northern Uganda.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 2006
Permanent Protection for Florida Act of 2006 - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior from issuing a lease for the exploration, development, or production of oil, natural gas, or any other mineral in the Florida exclusion zone. Expresses the sense of Congress that states are encouraged not to issue a permit or lease for new oil and natural gas slant, directional, or offshore drilling in or under any of the Great Lakes. Declares this Act applicable to non-producing leases. Withdraws the Florida exclusion zone from: (1) any Outer Continental Shelf protraction diagram prepared by the Minerals Management Service; and (2) consideration for inclusion in any five-year Outer Continental Shelf leasing program of the Department of the Interior. Declares that any non-producing or similar lease that is suspended as of the enactment of this Act in the Eastern planning area of the Gulf of Mexico (with a specified exception), and that is also active, non-producing, or in suspension as of such date, is relinquished and abandoned in exchange for royalty forgiveness for revenue streams owed by oil and gas lessees producing on that date in the Central and Western planning areas of the Gulf of Mexico. Specifies the characteristics of any relinquished and abandoned lease whose lessee is ineligible for royalty forgiveness. Extends until June 30, 2020, the expiration date for the withdrawal of areas of the Outer Continental Shelf described in a specified Memorandum.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2006
Expresses admiration for Mrs. Coretta Scott King's lifelong commitment to social justice and peace. Recognizes her role as a leading participant in the American civil rights movement and her support to democracy movements worldwide.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 2006
Protecting America's Competitive Edge Through Tax Incentives Act of 2006 or the PACE-Finance Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) make permanent the tax credit for increasing research activities; (2) increase the rate of such credit from 20 to 40%; (3) expand such credit to include expenses of a research consortia; and (4) allow a business tax credit for the cost of employee continuing education in science or engineering. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) study and make recommendations on methods to expand the scope of the tax credit for increasing research activities; (2) conduct an analysis of the U.S. tax system and its effect on innovation investment and related activities; and (3) report on such studies to the President and Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 2006
Protecting America's Competitive Edge Through Energy Act of 2006 or PACE-Energy Act - Amends the Department of Energy Science Education Enhancement Act to direct the Secretary of Energy to: (1) appoint a Director of Mathematics, Science, and Engineering Education with principal responsibility for administering mathematics, science, and engineering education programs of the Department of Energy (DOE); and (2) establish a Mathematics, Science, and Engineering Education Fund to carry out provisions under the Act relating to laboratory cooperative science centers and other authorized education activities and education partnerships. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a summer internship program for middle and secondary school students that shall provide them with internships at the national laboratories and promote experiential, hands-on learning in mathematics or science; (2) establish at each of the national laboratories a program to support a Center of Excellence in Mathematics and Science at one public secondary school located in the region of the national laboratory to provide assistance in accordance with this Act; (3) establish or expand summer institute programs at the national laboratories to provide additional training to strengthen the mathematics and science teaching skills of teachers employed at public schools in kindergarten through grade 12; (4) establish a program to support the appointment of distinguished scientists by the national laboratories; and (5) award grants to outstanding eligible early-career researchers to support the work of such researchers in DOE. Establishes the Advanced Research Projects Authority--Energy (ARPA-E). Requires the use of the Acceleration Fund for Research and Development of Energy Technologies established by this Act to award grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts supporting specified advanced energy research activities.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 2006
Protecting America's Competitive Edge Through Education and Research Act of 2006 - PACE-Education Act - Establishes programs to provide additional mathematics and science teachers in K-12 elementary and secondary education (teachers), including: (1) Department of Education (ED) grants to institutions of higher education (IHE's) for baccalaureate degree programs in mathematics, science, and engineering, with teacher certification, and for master's degree programs in mathematics and science education for teachers; (2) National Science Foundation (NSF) scholarships for recruiting and training new teachers, and fellowships for teachers; (3) ED grants to nonprofit entities to train additional teachers for Advanced Placement (AP), pre-AP, International Baccalaureate (IB), and pre-IB programs; (4) a National Clearinghouse on Mathematics and Science Teaching Materials; (5) Future American-Scientist Scholarships (ED); (6) Department of Energy graduate research fellowships in scientific areas of national need; and (7) NSF early-career research grants for scientists and engineers. Directs the Office of Science and Technology Policy Matters to: (1) coordinate science, mathematics, and engineering education programs; (2) establish a National Coordination Office for Advanced Research Instrumentation and Facilities; (3) establish guidelines for federal agencies to allocate funds for high-risk, high-payoff research; and (4) award a President's Innovation Award. Directs the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to award early-career research grants. Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to direct the Department of Commerce to award grants for feasibility studies and plans for science parks, and for revolving loan funds to develop science park infrastructure. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to: (1) create a new visa category for doctorate students in mathematics, engineering, technology, or the physical sciences; and (2) exempt from numerical limitations on employment-based immigrants certain aliens who have received such advanced degrees and are working in a related field. Directs the Department of Defense (DOD) to award early-career research grants. Expresses the sense of Senate on: (1) policies to accelerate deployment of access to broadband Internet; (2) the visa process for foreign students at U.S. IHE's and foreign researchers engaging in scientific research in the United States; (3) patent reform; and (4) exemption of certain uses of technology from treatment as exports.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 2006
Expresses support for the federal and state missions of the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard. Recommends that the Department of Defense (DOD) propose to fully fund the National Guard's equipment needs. Urges DOD to consult with the states' chief executive officers and Congress on any proposed changes to the National Guard force structure. Requests that: (1) any DOD plan regarding force structure take into account the National Guard role in homeland defense and other state missions; (2) DOD prepare budget projections that detail cost savings from any changes in force structure, as well as projected costs in the event large personnel increases are necessary to respond to a national emergency; and (3) DOD assure Congress and the chief executive officers that potential changes in force structure will not impact the safety and security of the U.S. people.
United States · United States Congress · 21 December 2005
Financial Data Protection Act of 2005 - Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to prescribe safeguards for data security. Declares that each consumer reporter shall have an affirmative obligation to implement policies and procedures to protect the security and confidentiality of any consumer's sensitive financial personal information maintained, serviced, or communicated by or on the reporter's behalf against any unauthorized use reasonably likely to result in substantial harm or inconvenience to the consumer. Defines "consumer reporter" as any consumer reporting agency, financial institution, or person: (1) which, for monetary fees, dues, on a cooperative nonprofit basis, or otherwise regularly engages in the practice of assembling or evaluating consumer information for the purpose of furnishing consumer reports to third parties, of providing or collecting payment for or marketing products and services, or for employment purposes; and (2) which uses any means or facility of interstate commerce for such purposes. Prescribes implementation guidelines that include: (1) investigation requirements; (2) investigation notices and system restoration requirements; (3) third party duties; (4) consumer notice; (5) financial fraud mitigation; and (6) free file monitoring. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and the Federal Trade Commission jointly to develop implementing standards and guidelines.
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 2005
Protecting Children from Sexual Exploitation Act of 2005 - Amends federal criminal code provisions regarding child sexual exploitation to apply recordkeeping requirements applicable to visual depictions of sexually explicit conduct to pictures, digital images, and digitally- or computer-manipulated images of actual human beings. Prohibits any person to whom these provisions apply from refusing to permit the Attorney General to conduct an inspection of records at that person's business premises at a reasonable time. Establishes recordkeeping requirements for simulated sexual conduct.
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 2005
FHA Manufactured Housing Loan Modernization Act of 2005 - Amends the National Housing Act with respect to Federal Housing Administration (FHA) housing loan insurance for manufactured homes (or lots for such homes) to: (1) exempt such loans from certain financial institution portfolio limits; (2) establish loan-to-value ratio and downpayment requirements; (3) provide that any such contract shall be conclusive evidence of an institution's insurance eligibility; (4) increase loan limits; (5) set forth borrower premium charges; and (6) direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to establish underwriting criteria that will ensure the manufactured housing program's financial soundness.
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 2005
Honors the memory of, and identifies, 2398 members of the Armed Forces who died in service to the United States in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom as of December 12, 2005.
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 2005
Condemns recent statements by President Ahmadinejad of Iran that denied the occurrence of the Holocaust and supported moving the State of Israel to Europe, and demands an official apology for these anti-Semitic statements that ignore history, human suffering, and the loss of life during the Holocaust. Supports efforts by the people of Iran to exercise self-determination over the form of their country's government. Reaffirms the need for Iran to: (1) end its support for international terrorism; and (2) join other Middle Eastern countries in seeking a successful outcome of the Middle East peace process.
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 2005
Condemns recent statements by President Ahmadinejad of Iran that denied the occurrence of the Holocaust and supported moving the State of Israel to Europe, and demands an official apology for these anti-Semitic statements that ignore history, human suffering, and the loss of life during the Holocaust. Reaffirms the need for Iran to: (1) end its support for international terrorism; and (2) join other Middle Eastern countries in seeking a successful outcome of the Middle East peace process.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 2005
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable William Proxmire, a former member of the United States Senate. Declares that when the Senate adjourns on December 15, 2005, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of Senator Proxmire.
United States · United States Congress · 12 December 2005
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable Eugene J. McCarthy, a former member of the United States Senate. Declares that when the Senate adjourns on December 12, 2005, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of Senator McCarthy.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2005
Calls on the President to: (1) oppose any effort to transfer control of the Internet to the United Nations or any other international entity; and (2) advance the values of an open Internet in the broader trade and diplomatic conversations of the United States. Applauds the President for: (1) asserting that the United States has no present intention of relinquishing its historic leadership role in Internet governance; and (2) articulating a vision of the Internet that places privatization over politicization.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2005
Agriculture Hurricane Recovery Act of 2005 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide emergency assistance to farm or aquacultural producers (other than sugarcane producers) in a disaster county who incurred qualifying crop or quality losses with respect to the 2004, 2005, or 2006 crop due to damaging weather or related condition. Limits: (1) assistance to only one crop year; and (2) 2006 crop losses to only those losses caused by a 2005 hurricane or tropical storm. Directs the Secretary to make emergency financial assistance to: (1) commercial ornamental nursery and fernery producers in a disaster county for eligible inventory losses due to a 2005 hurricane; (2) tropical fruit producers in a disaster county who have suffered a qualifying loss due to a 2005 hurricane; (3) citrus and vegetable producers in a disaster county for losses caused by a 2005 hurricane or tropical storm; (4) certain sugar processors in Florida and Louisiana to compensate first processors and producers for crop and other losses related to 2005 hurricanes, tropical storms, excessive rains, and floods; (5) livestock producers in a disaster county for 2005 or 2006 losses (as elected by a producer); and (6) producers in a disaster county for specified infrastructure losses caused by a 2005 hurricane. Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to include nursery trees, Christmas trees, pecan trees, timber, and forest products in the tree assistance program. Waives specified cost-sharing requirements related to 2005 hurricane assistance. Amends the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978 to include nursery or fernery crop producers in the emergency conservation program. Provides assistance for farm producers in a disaster county for repairing structures, barns, storage facilities, poultry houses, beehives, greenhouses, and shade houses due to 2005 hurricane damage. Provides emergency grants for low-income migrant and seasonal farmworker assistance. Provides assistance for: (1) reseeding, rehabilitation, and restoration of oyster reefs in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, or Mississippi; (2) fisheries disaster assistance; and (3) lump sum payments to Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida for assistance to persons in a disaster county who have experienced significant economic hardship due to the loss of fisheries, oysters, lobsters, stone crabs, or clams, destroyed or damaged processing facilities, or closures due to red tide or other water quality issues. Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to timber losses resulting from Hurricanes Dennis, Katrina, Rita, or Wilma to: (1) increase allowable reforestation expenses; and (2) exempt such losses from capital loss limits.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 2005
Expresses the sense of the Senate that Veterans Day 2005 shall be commemorated with appropriate tributes to all veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, especially to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2005
Abortion Non-Discrimination Act of 2005 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to include a health care entity's refusal to provide coverage of, or pay for, induced abortions among the bases for which the federal government or any state or local government that receives federal financial assistance may not discriminate against such an entity. Expands the definition of "health care entity" to include a hospital, a provider sponsored organization, a health maintenance organization, a health insurance plan, and any other kind of health care facility, organization, or plan.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 2005
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of Henry Giugni, former Sergeant-at-Arms of the United States Senate. Declares that when the Senate adjourns on November 3, 2005, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of Henry Giugni.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 2005
Amends federal law establishing the Gulf Islands National Seashore to provide that, if any of the federal land on Santa Rosa or Okaloosa Island, Florida, that is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense is ever excess to the needs of the Armed Forces, then the Secretary of Defense shall transfer such land to the Secretary of the Interior for inclusion in the Seashore.
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
Virgie S. Arden American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act - Amends the Horse Protection Act to prohibit the shipping, transporting, moving, delivering, receiving, possessing, purchasing, selling, or donation of horses and other equines to be slaughtered for human consumption. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to detain for examination, testing, or the taking of evidence: (1) any horse at any horse show, horse exhibition, or horse sale or auction which is sore or which the Secretary has probable cause to believe is sore; and (2) any horse or other equine which the Secretary has probable cause to believe is being shipped, transported, moved, delivered, received, possessed, purchased, sold, or donated in violation of such prohibition.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 2005
Employment Verification Act of 2005 - Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (Act) to establish a mandatory electronic worker verification system on a two-to-five year phased-in basis (depending on the number of employees). Provides: (1) for protection from unauthorized disclosure and discrimination; and (2) that employers who use the system will be considered to be in compliance with specified employment verification requirements under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Directs the Secretary of Commerce to review the impact of the employment eligibility verification system (established under the Act) on each class of employers, and certify for each such class that the system: (1) does not result in increased discrimination; and (2) does not interfere with the hiring process for employers or cause a waiting period longer than five days before a new hire can be confirmed as employment eligible. Directs the Commissioner of Social Security to identify the sources of false or expired Social Security numbers and take steps to eliminate them from the Social Security system. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to: (1) fully integrate all system databases and data systems and provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) with access to such information; (2) establish rules, policies, and operating and auditing procedures for collecting, removing, and updating system data; and (3) establish a clearinghouse bureau for the public to correct system information. Amends INA to provide that documents establishing employability shall be: (1) a qualifying Social Security card; or (2) A U.S.-issued machine readable employment authorization card. Establishes civil and criminal penalties for employment-related false citizenship claims. Increases civil monetary penalties for hiring, recruiting, referral, and paperwork violations. Amends the Social Security Act to establish criminal penalties for misuse of Social Security account numbers.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 2005
Strengthening America's Security Act of 2005 - Provides for: (1) increases in funding, personnel, and technology at the federal, state, and local level for immigration and border enforcement and visa security, document integrity, immigration fraud, and detention and removal of illegal aliens; and (2) specified border enforcement studies. Sets forth provisions for the release on bond of certain illegal aliens from noncontiguous countries. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to make expedited removal procedures available in all border patrol sectors on the southern U.S. border as soon as operationally possible. Authorizes grants to border-adjacent Indian tribes adversely affected by illegal immigration for law enforcement, health care, environmental restoration, and cultural preservation. Provides for increased detention and federal detention space. Prohibits detention that limits a person's reasonable access to legal counsel. Increases criminal penalties for alien smuggling, document fraud, gang violence, and drug trafficking. Makes an alien inadmissible who: (1) is a member of a street gang; or (2) refuses to comply with a lawful request for biometric data. Continues the institutional removal program (IRP). Establishes in: (1) the Department of Justice an Assistant Attorney General for Immigration Enforcement; and (2) the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Identity and Benefits Fraud Branch of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) the Fraud Appellate Review Board, which shall review determinations by the Forensic Document Laboratory determinations of fraudulent documents. Provides for federal reimbursement of state and local costs associated with processing illegal aliens through the criminal justice system.
United States · United States Congress · 21 October 2005
Recognizes efforts to educate, support, and provide hope for the Hispanic community, including efforts to honor outstanding Hispanic scientists at the annual National Hispanic Scientist of the Year Gala and to organize a "Meet the Hispanic Scientist Day. " Congratulates Dr. Edmond Jose Yunis for being honored as the National Hispanic Scientist of the Year for 2005 by the Museum of Science & Industry, in recognition of the research conducted by Dr. Yunis in relation to organ and stem cell transplants in the areas of immune responses, aging, autoimmune diseases, and genetics.
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 2005
Food Employment Empowerment and Development Program Act of 2005 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a food employment empowerment and development program of grants to eligible public agencies and private nonprofit institutions to encourage the use of community resources to combat hunger and the root causes of hunger by creating opportunity through food recovery and job training.
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 · 17 October 2005
Calls on the President to: (1) oppose any effort to transfer control of the Internet to the United Nations or any other international entity; and (2) advance the values of an open Internet in the broader trade and diplomatic conversations of the United States. Applauds the President for: (1) asserting that the United States has no present intention of relinquishing its historic leadership role in Internet governance; and (2) articulating a vision of the Internet that places privatization over politicization.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 2005
Affordable and Reliable Gas Act of 2005 - Amends the Clean Air Act (as amended by the Energy Policy Act of 2005) to: (1) require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in coordination with the Secretary of Energy, to identify and publish in the Federal Register a list of five gasolines and diesel fuels to be used in state implementation plans (SIPs) (Federal Fuels List); (2) require an analysis of the ability of such listed fuels to reduce ozone emissions; (3) restrict the authority of the Administrator to approve fuels proposed in an SIP but not included on the Federal Fuels List; (4) require the Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary, to develop a federal-state fuel harmonization plan to be fully implemented by the states by December 31, 2008; and (5) revise requirements for the joint study of boutique fuels to require an analysis of the impact on ozone emissions and supply of a mandatory reduction to five in the number of approved fuel blends.
![Official portrait of Sen. Martinez, Mel [R-FL]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/m001162_200.jpg)