United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1982
Reciprocal Trade and Investment Act of 1982 - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to direct the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to submit to the President an annual study of the practices of each designated major trading country that: (1) deny benefits to the United States under a trade agreement; or (2) deny to the United States substantially equivalent commercial opportunities with respect to U.S. products that are internationally competitive. Directs the President to submit such study to the appropriate congressional committees and to propose actions to redress any imbalance caused by such practices. Directs Federal agencies to furnish information and other assistance to carry out such study. Adds to the findings upon which the President can base U.S. responses to foreign trade practices. Directs the President to act upon finding that a foreign practice denies to the United States commercial opportunities substantially equivalent to those offered by the United States. Authorizes the President to take action against the foreign entity's investments. (Current law limits the President to taking action against the foreign entity's products or services.) Requires the President to take into account U.S. trade agreement obligations in determining whether to take any action to enforce U.S. trade rights or respond to a foreign trade practice. Includes foreign direct investment by U.S. citizens or nationals within the definition of commerce and commercial opportunites. Authorizes the House Ways and Means Committee or the Senate Finance Committee to file a resolution with the USTR requesting the President to take action to enforce U.S. trade rights or respond to foreign trade practices. Directs the USTR to consult with the International Trade Commission (ITC) on: (1) the economic impact of the USTR's legislative recommendations; and (2) the foreign practices which caused the USTR to investigate. (Current law authorizes the USTR to consult with the ITC on the economic impact of proposed action with respect to the foreign product or service.) Directs the USTR to make preliminary recommendations to the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee on the options the President is considering if dispute settlement procedures fail. Requires such recommendations to be made within 180 days of a finding that presidential action is needed to enforce U.S. trade rights or to respond to a foreign trade practice. Directs the President to negotiate international agreements to end restrictions on foreign direct investment. Includes restrictions on foreign direct investment among the barriers to international trade that may authorize the President to enter trade agreements.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1982
States that U.S. policy should encourage parties to the El Salvadoran conflict to: (1) begin cease-fire negotiations under international supervision; and (2) pursue a political settlement that would include open and free elections under international supervision.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1982
Expresses the sense of the Senate that graduate and professional students should remain eligible for guaranteed student loans under part B (Federal, State, and Private Programs of Low-Interest Loans in Institutions of Higher Education) of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1982
Declares it the sense of the Senate that the Interstate Commerce Commission should temporarily refrain from granting applications for motor carrier operating authority filed by foreign companies or by companies controlled by foreign nationals.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1982
Reciprocal Trade, Services and Investment Act of 1982 - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to include foreign restrictions on direct investments by U.S. citizens or nationals among the foreign trade restrictions on U.S. commerce that would trigger a U.S. response. Authorizes the President to take action to establish or further the principles of national treatment or reciprocal market access with respect to U.S. goods, U.S. services, and foreign direct investment by U.S. nationals or citizens. Authorizes the President to: (1) enter into bilateral or multilateral negotiations to further such principles; (2) adjust Government procurement policies to provide for procurement from nations that provide reciprocal market access to comparable U.S. producers; (3) instruct the U.S. directors of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank) and the International Monetary Fund to vote against aid to countries that do not adhere generally to principles of national treatment and market access; (4) request Federal regulatory agencies to consider a country's adherence to such principles in making decisions or taking actions with respect to applications or requests of such country; or (5) propose legislation which would impose equivalent restrictions within the United States on goods and services from countries that do not adhere to such principles. Authorizes the President to take any other appropriate action to enforce U.S. trade rights, respond to discriminatory trade practices, or further principles of national treatment or reciprocal market access. Changes the definition of commerce for purposes of U.S. trade agreement enforcement rights. Includes within that definition foreign direct investment by U.S. citizens or nationals. Defines national treatment for such purposes as the treatment by a government of foreign investment or foreign establishments operating within its borders in the same way as a domestic investment or comparable domestic establishments. Authorizes the House Ways and Means Committee or the Senate Finance Committee to file a resolution with the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) requesting the President to take action to enforce U.S. trade rights, respond to discriminatory trade practices, or further principles of national treatment or reciprocal market access. Provides that consultations need not take place between the USTR and a foreign country after beginning an investigation into complaints concerning such country's national treatment or market reciprocity policies. (Current law requires such consultations when the United States is investigating complaints about U.S. trade agreement rights or foreign discriminatory trade practices.) Requires the USTR to recommend to the President a course of action within one month of the start of an investigation of complaints concerning national treatment or reciprocity. Directs the President to make recommendations to Congress within 120 days of starting an investigation into complaints concerning national treatment and market reciprocity. Authorizes the President to negotiate international agreements on restrictions on foreign direct investment.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1982
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit a business expense deduction for advertisements placed with a foreign broadcast station and directed to a market in the United States if a similar deduction is denied in the country in which such station is located for an advertisement placed with a U.S. broadcast station and directed to a market in that country.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1982
Urgent Coast Guard Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1982 - Makes supplemental appropriations to the Department of Transportation for the operating expenses of the Coast Guard for FY 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1982
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to limit to $3,000 the amount of living expenses which Members of Congress may deduct from their incomes. Repeals the provision allowing such tax deduction without substantiation.
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 1981
Amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to extend from August 6, 1982, to August 6, 1984, the current preclearance requirements (under which jurisdictions covered through the triggering mechanism must submit proposed electoral changes to the Department of Justice). Establishes a new standard for jurisdictions to "bail-out" of these requirements effective August 6, 1984. Permits political subdivisions of covered States to bail-out independently of the State. Conditions a declaratory judgment for bail-out on the jurisdiction's showing that it and all its political subdivisions have met the bail-out requirements for a ten-year period prior to the filing of the suit. Includes among the requirements for bail-out that: (1) no test or device has been used to discriminate on account of race, color, or language; (2) no actions alleging voting discrimination are pending or have gone to final judgment; (3) no Federal examiner has served in the jurisdiction seeking bail-out; (4) the jurisdiction and all its subdivisions have complied with the preclearance requirements; and (5) the jurisdiction and its subdivisions have taken affirmative steps to protect voting rights. Stipulates that lawsuits filed during pendency of the bail-out litigation will not bar bail-out. Subjects the jurisdiction to the preclearance requirements if any such lawsuit alleging voting violations is successful after bail-out. Restates the prohibition against voting discrimination to include as a violation conduct which has the effect of discrimination. Stipulates that the failure of a minority to be proportionately represented does not itself constitute a violation. Extends the bilingual election requirements from August 6, 1985, to August 6, 1992. Declares that nothing in the Voting Rights Act shall be construed to permit assistance within the voting booth, unless the voter is blind or physically incapacitated.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1981
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to permit an individual to elect hospice care, in lieu of certain other benefits, during two periods of 180 days each during the individual's lifetime. Provides for full reimbursement of reasonable costs to a hospice program, subject to a ceiling. Directs the Comptroller General to conduct a study of the hospice reimbursement method. Defines hospice care as including items and services furnished to the terminally ill in their homes, on an outpatient basis, and on a short term inpatient basis.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the energy investment tax credit for equipment used aboard or installed on fishing vessels which reduces fuel consumption.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1981
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) Americans want an early, peaceful, and popularly supported resolution of the issues that led to the imposition of martial law in Poland; (2) Americans deplore the imposition of martial law in Poland, the suspension of workers' rights, and the arrests of Solidarity leaders; (3) recent events call into question the suitability of further assistance for Poland: (4) the Polish people have the right to resolve their problems without outside interference; (5) the support of Americans for continued U.S. dealings with Poland's present government will relate to the degree to which that government avoids violence and demonstrates its respect for Solidarity and its commitment to continuing reforms; (6) the President and the Secretary of State should continue to stress this U.S. position; and (7) the Administration should consult with our allies to develop a concerted and sustained response to the threat to the democratization process in Poland.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1981
States that the Federal Government should promote energy conservation through low-income weatherization assistance, energy conservation information programs, and funding of energy conservation research and development.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 1981
Amends title IV (National Research Institutes) of the Public Health Service Act to establish a National Institute on Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases. Sets forth the Institute's research and training functions and arthritis and musculoskeletal diseases program plan. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Institute, to operate multipurpose arthritis and musculoskeletal disease research centers. Requires annual evaluations of such centers. Authorizes specified appropriations for such centers for fiscal years 1983-1985. Directs the Secretary to establish an arthritis and musculoskeletal disease Coordinating Committee, which shall meet at least four times a year.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 1981
Entitles Civil Air Patrol Cadets 18 years of age or older to the same compensation for disability or death which is available to Civil Air Patrol senior members. Increases the amount of such compensation available to both.
United States · United States Congress · 8 December 1981
Expresses the sense of Congress that members of the National Guard and Reserve should be granted time off from their jobs for military training, exclusive of earned vacation, and given equal consideration for job benefits and promotions as other employees.
United States · United States Congress · 4 December 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the tax treatment of church annuity plans. Extends to clergy and church employees the same election of alternative exclusion allowances for contributions to annuity contracts which is currently available to employees of tax-exempt health and education organizations. Treats all years of employment by clergy and church employees as employment for one employer for purposes of the employee exclusion allowance for contributions to a church annuity plan. Establishes a minimum level of compensation for clergy and church employees for purposes of computing the exclusion allowance for contributions to a church annuity plan. Specifies that such minimum level shall not be less than twice the nonfarm income poverty level of a family of four as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury. Defines "annuity contracts", for purposes of the employee exclusion, to include those provided by a church or church pension board. Prohibits the application of the constructive receipts doctrine to the computation of annuity amounts. Permits clergy or church employees to contribute up to $10,000 to a church annuity plan without exceeding statutory limitations on contributions to such plans. Provides for cost of living adjustments to such amount.
United States · United States Congress · 3 December 1981
Amends the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981 to repeal the credit for any windfall profit tax paid in connection with taxable crude oil which is attributable to a qualified royalty interest and which is removed from the premises during 1981. Repeals the exemption for 1982 and thereafter of royalty interests from the windfall profit tax. Repeals the reductions in the tax imposed on newly discovered tier three oil. Repeals the exemption from the windfall profit tax on the stripper well oil of independent producers.
United States · United States Congress · 3 December 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code, as amended by the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981, to set forth income tax rate schedules for each category of taxpayer for taxable years 1982 and 1983 and thereafter. Repeals the ten percent withholding reductions provided for in 1982 and 1983 contained in such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 November 1981
United States Academy of Peace Act - Establishes the United States Academy of Peace as an independent nonprofit corporation. Sets forth the powers and duties of the Academy, including establishment of an Endowment of the United States Academy of Peace. Authorizes the Academy to establish: (1) a Center for International Peace; and (2) a United States Medal of Peace and other medals or honors. Subjects the Academy to specified freedom of information requirements. Provides that, with certain exceptions, the Academy shall not be considered a department, agency, or instrumentality of the Government. Prohibits the use of any political test or political qualification with respect to personnel actions of the Academy or financial assistance by the Academy. Authorizes appropriations in a specified amount for an Academy buildings and grounds capitalization fund. Authorizes appropriations in specified amounts for fiscal years 1983 and 1984 for Academy programs and administration.
United States · United States Congress · 22 November 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide the Federal National Mortgage Association a net operating loss carryback of ten years and a net operating loss carryover of five years, beginning in 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1981
Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 to delay the effective date of amendments relating to group eligibility requirements for trade adjustment assistance for workers.
United States · United States Congress · 12 November 1981
Amends the Crude Oil Windfall Profit Tax Act of 1980 to delay until December 31, 1982 the effective date of the requirement that in cases of corporate liquidations a corporation inventorying goods under the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method of accounting treat the LIFO recapture amount with respect to distributed inventory assets as ordinary income.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1981
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the United States and Japan should exert maximum efforts to resist Soviet challenges to Asia; (2) Japan should make a greater contribution to its own defense; and (3) Japan's defense expenditures should be at least one percent of its gross national product.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 1981
Directs the President in cooperation with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to exercise appropriate authorities to assure an adequate flow of credit to small borrowers at affordable prices. Directs the President to take appropriate actions to limit the large-scale diversion of credit to nonproductive uses. Directs the President in cooperation with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to take noninflationary actions necessary to reduce interest rates. Directs the President to report to Congress within 30 days concerning the effect of his actions in protecting an adequate flow of affordable credit to small borrowers and reducing excessive interest rates.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 1981
Expresses the disapproval by the Senate of the proposed deferral of budget authority for the Veterans' Administration health-care facility construction while the Administration considers alternative methods for providing readily available quality medical care for eligible veterans as set forth in a special message transmitted by the President to the Congress under the Impoundment Control Act of 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 1981
Establishes a permanent boundary for the portion of Acadia National Park which lies within the town of Isle au Haut, Maine. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to convey to the town all Federal interests in lands outside the park boundary and within the town, subject to certain covenants. Provides for management of the park on a limited entry, minimal impact basis.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 1981
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code which provide incentives for energy conservation and development of renewable energy sources should not be repealed or amended to reduce such incentives.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1981
Acid Deposition Control Act - Amends title I of the Clean Air Act (Air Pollution Prevention and Control) to establish a new program (Interstate Transport and Acid Precursor Reduction) to: (1) regulate the long-range transport of pollutants and their transformation products; and (2) reduce acid compounds, and their precursors, in the atmosphere. Establishes a long-range transport corridor, the "acid deposition impact region," consisting of 31 States (east of or bordering the Mississippi River) and the District of Columbia. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to: (1) conduct a study of air pollution problems associated with the long-range transport of pollutants in the portions of the continental United States not included in the acid deposition impact region; and (2) report the results to Congress within two years. Prohibits the increase of emissions of sulfur dioxide and of oxides of nitrogen from stationary sources in the acid deposition impact region over such total actual emissions there as of January 1, 1981. Prohibits any major stationary source in the region from significantly increasing such emissions, unless a not otherwise required net reduction of such regional pollution, in excess of the proposed increase, has been identified. Requires a ten-year phased reduction in annual emissions of sulfur dioxide in the region of 10,000,000 tons from the total 1980 level. Requires each State to achieve reductions in annual sulfur dioxide emissions according to a formula based on each State's share of utility emissions in the region. Permits State Governors to agree to reallot the required reductions. Requires each State in the region to adopt, within two years, enforcement measures to achieve such reduction. Directs the Administrator to approve such measures within four months if specified criteria are met. Sets forth a uniform sulfur dioxide emission limit for fossil-fuel-burning electric generating facilities (which are major stationary sources not subject to new performance standards) in any State that has not adopted, or has not had approved, such enforcement measures by such deadlines. Requires that owners or operators of such sources: (1) submit an approvable reduction plan and schedule within three years of enactment of this Act; (2) comply with such plan and schedule; and (3) achieve the required emission reduction at the earliest practicable date, but no later than ten years after enactment of this Act. Specifies methods or programs for enforceable net emission reduction that may be used by a State or the owner or operator of a source. Permits a State or owner or operator to substitute reduction in emissions of oxides of nitrogen for required sulfur dioxide emissions reductions, at a specified rate. Adds to State implementation plan requirements a prohibition of stationary source air pollutant emissions in amounts that will contribute to atmospheric loadings of pollutants or their transformation products so as to adversely affect public health or welfare or the environment in any other State or foreign country.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1981
Missing Children Act - Authorizes the Attorney General to collect and exchange information which would assist in the identification of unidentified deceased individuals, and the location of missing persons, including missing children.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1981
Directs the United States Postal Service to provide and sell a postage stamp issue to commemorate the two hundredth anniversary of the presence of the bald eagle on the official seal of the United States of America. Provides that such stamp shall be issued in the denomination applicable to first-class mail up to one ounce in weight. Directs that such stamp shall be issued during the week of June 20, 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1981
Expresses the sense of the Senate to retain regulations for the provision of one-third of the recommended dietary allowances of nutrients as a goal in the school lunch program under the National School Lunch Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1981
Expresses the objection of Congress to the proposed sale to Saudi Arabia of airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft, conformal fuel tanks, AIM- 9L Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, and aerial refueling aircraft.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1981
Hunger Elimination and Global Security Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should make development of poor countries and the eradication of poverty and hunger the primary objective of U.S. foreign policy. Directs the President to designate certain foreign aid programs as Hunger Relief and Prevention Assistance. Title I: Public Law 480 - Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 to replace the provision describing self-help programs developed under agreements for the sale of farm products for foreign currency and long-term-dollar-credit. Requires such agreements to describe the self-help programs and to provide for the termination of the agreement or adjustment of its credit terms whenever the President finds that the program is not being carried out as specified in the agreement. Prohibits termination or credit adjustment of such an agreement if the President reports to Congress that: (1) such action would threaten U.S. security; or (2) the program was not carried out because of circumstances beyond the control of the recipient country. Requires the self-help measures to be sufficiently described so that the primary beneficiaries of the agreement will be needy people. Defines "needy people." Requires such measures to be in addition to measures that the recipient country would otherwise have taken. Directs the President to verify that such measures are being carried out and to report to the appropriate congressional committees on such verification and on the additional nature of such measures. Title II: Multilateral Development Banks - Amends the International Financial Institutions Act to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to work within certain multilateral development banks to establish a requirement that not less than 50 percent of such banks' lending must benefit needy people. Requires the Secretaries of State and Treasury to report to Congress annually on establishing such requirement. Title III: World Food Security - Directs the President to encourage other grain exporting countries to establish their own food security reserves or take other measures that complement the U.S. food security reserve. Directs the President to report to Congress on actions taken with respect to such food security reserves. Directs the President to negotiate with other countries and with certain organizations to try to ensure that the benefits of the food financing facility recently approved by the International Monetary Fund be directed to effect the maximum feasible reduction in hunger and malnutrition. Directs the President to report to Congress on such negotiations. Amends the Export Administration Act of 1979 to prohibit the Secretary of Commerce from imposing export controls on food if such controls would cause measurable malnutrition in the countries against whom the controls are proposed unless the President determines such controls are necessary to protect U.S. national security. Title IV: Basic Human Needs Agreement - Requires a Basic Human Needs Agreement between the United States and a foreign country before the foreign country may receive bilateral development assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. Exempts from such requirement assistance for narcotics control, disaster relief, or peacekeeping operations. Sets forth the goals of such agreements. Title V: Relief and Prevention of Starvation - African Assistance and Hunger Prevention Act - Requires at least 50 percent of all U.S. international development assistance funds beginning in fiscal year 1983 to be used to finance productive facilities primarily for the absolutely poor. Defines the "absolutely poor." Requires special emphasis to be placed on alleviating hunger in sub-Saharan Africa and on the role of women in farm production in that region. Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 to earmark for the food for development program a specified percentage of the aggregate value of all agreements entered into under the program for the sale of farm products for foreign currency and long-term-dollar-credit. Requires certain commodities and funds to be used to establish grain reserves in famine prone African nations or to otherwise prepare for food shortages in those nations. Title VI: General Provisions - Expresses the sense of Congress that the President, acting through the Director of the Peace Corps, should emphasize projects to alleviate hunger and malnutrition by encouraging agricultural self-sufficiency in countries where Peace Corps volunteers are serving.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1981
Fishery Conservation and Management Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976 to declare that certain fishery conservation and management guidelines established by the Secretary of Commerce shall not require mandatory compliance. Expands the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council to include the Northern Mariana Islands. Authorizes such regional councils to make recommendations concerning activities by persons or governmental agencies that affect fishery resources under their jurisdiction. Exempts such councils from the Federal Advisory Committee Act and directs them to adopt certain procedures in order to assure public participation in their activities. Allows fishery management plans prepared by any council or the Secretary to state factors that have impeded full utilization of the optimum yield by U.S. fishing vessels. Requires, instead of permits, each council to propose regulations that it deems necessary to carry out any fishery management plan. Revises procedures by which the Secretary shall review and act upon fishery management plans. Permits the establishment of fees at levels exceeding administrative costs for specified fishing vessels. Repeals provisions concerning hearings on and implementation of fishery management plans. Revises emergency action provisions to empower a council to request the Secretary to promulgate emergency regulations to implement fishery management plans. Declares that a council and its constituent States, if acting concurrently and in unanimous agreement, may develop fishery management plans for fisheries within and beyond State boundaries. Revises specified reporting requirements concerning compliance and enforcement.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1981
Delays until 1983 the application of Revenue Ruling 81-216 which denies a tax exclusion of the interest on multiple lots of $1,000,000 each of industrial development bonds that are pooled and issued as one bond.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1981
Expresses the objection of Congress to the proposed sale to Saudi Arabia of airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft, conformal fuel tanks, Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, and aerial refueling aircraft.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 1981
Broadcast Deregulation Act of 1981 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from regulating the programming of radio broadcast station licensees. Directs the FCC to renew a broadcast station's license if the licensee substantially met the needs of residents of its service area and the station has not seriously violated such Act. Prohibits the FCC, when acting on a license renewal application, from considering the license application of another person for the same facilities. Directs the FCC to encourage the introduction of new and additional services. Requires the FCC, in acting upon applications for such services, to presume the services are in the public interest wherever providing them is technically feasible.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1981
Amends the Crude Oil Windfall Profit Tax Act of 1980, as amended by the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981, to repeal the termination date for the partial tax exclusion of dividends and interest. Increases the amount of such exclusion.
![Official portrait of Sen. Mitchell, George J. [D-ME]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/m000811_200.jpg)