United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1975
Directs the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration to provide for radio and television coverage of proceedings in the Senate Chamber during the first session of the Ninety-fourth Congress, except for closed-door sessions. Requires video tapes of such broadcasts to be kept and made available to commercial broadcast stations. Provides for monitors of such broadcasts in various offices and for audio monitors in members' offices, if desired.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1975
Indian Tribal Governmental Status Act - Expresses the findings of Congress including that exemption of Indian tribal governments from specified taxes should be consistent with the Federal laws and treaties recognizing the government status of such tribes and with the role of Indian tribes in providing public service to Indians. Provides for such treatment under provisions of the Internal Revenue Code relating to: (1) retirement income; (2) contributions to candidates for public office; (3) interest on governmental obligations; (4) income of governments; (5) scholdarship and fellowship grants; (6) charitable contributions and specified tax deductions; (7) services and facilities tax; (8) other taxes on sales and services; (9) gasoline used on farms; (10) taxation on employee annuities; (11) transfers for public, charitable, and religious uses; (12) retailers' and manufacturers' excise taxes; and (13) specified gasoline and lubricating oil taxes.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1975
Social Security Administration Act - Declares that it is the purpose of this Act to strengthen the fiscal and administrative structure of the contributory social security programs. Title I: Social Security Administration - Establishes, as an independent agency of the Executive Branch of the Government, a Social Security Administration headed by a Board appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Declares that it shall be the duty of the Administration to administer the programs established by titles II, XVI, and XVIII of the Social Security Act, and to discharge the duties and responsibilities imposed on the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare in connection with the administration of the program established by title IV of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969. States that the Administration shall also have the duty of studying and making recommendations as to the most effective methods of providing economic security through social insurance, and as to legislation and matters of administrative policy. Provides for the appointment of an Executive Director and a General Counsel of the Administration. Makes the Administration responsible for administering the old age, survivors, and disability insurance program, medicare, supplemental security income, and the black lung benefit program under the Coal Mine Health and Safety Act. Prohibits the mailing of announcements with Social Security and SSI checks which make reference by name, title, or signature to any officer of the United States. Transfers to the Social Security Administration: (1) all functions carried out by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, with respect to the administration of programs and activities the administration of which is vested in such Administration, by reason of this Act; and (2) all personnel, assets, liabilities, contracts, property, and records, which the Director of the Office of Management and Budget determines to be employed, held, or used by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare primarily in connection with the functions, activities, and programs which, by reason of this Act are vested in or become the responsibility of the Administration. Abolishes the position of Commissioner of Social Security. Title II: Miscellaneous and Conforming Amendments - Makes technical and conforming amendments to the Social Security Act, the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act, the Budget and Accounting Act, and the Executive Schedules of the United States Code.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1975
Joint Committee on Intelligence Oversight Act - Establishes the Joint Committee on Intelligence Oversight, consisting of seven members from each House, to conduct a continuing study and investigation of the activities of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the United States Secret Service, the Defense Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, and all other departments and agencies insofar as their activities pertain to intelligence gathering. Prohibits the appropriation of funds for intelligence activities unless such funds have been specifically authorized by legislation enacted after enactment of this Act. Requires that legislation pertaining to intelligence activities be reported from such joint committee. Grants subpena power to the chairman of such joint committee.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1975
Allows purchasers of national forest timber to transfer earned but unused purchaser credits between timber sales on the same national forest where timber sale contracts involve road construction.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1975
Provides that no new tariff, fee or other charge, no increase in existing tariffs, fees or other charges, and no new quota or other limitation on imports of crude oil or petroleum products other than those in effect on January 1, 1975, may be imposed unless: (1) such action is specifically authorized by law enacted after the date of enactment of this joint resolution; or (2) the specific action proposed to be taken is submitted to both Houses of the Congress. States that if such action is disapproved by either House within the thirty-day review period, no officer or agency shall have authority to take any action inconsistent with the provisions of this joint resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1975
States that the Senate disapproves the proposed deferral of budget authority for continuing research to develop a nuclear-powered artifical heart, which was set forth in the President's message to the Congress of November 26, 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1975
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to convey the title and interest of the United States in specified lands in the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District, New Mexico, upon the payment by such District of $5,626.45 to the Secretary of the Interior. Provides that coal and other mineral rights are reserved to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1975
Extends coverage, under the supplementary medical insurance benefits program established by title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, for one routine physical checkup, including diagnostic tests, each year and for preventive and maintenance care for individuals insured under such program.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1975
States that the Senate disapproves the proposed deferral of budget authority to carry out the comprehensive planning grants program under the Housing Act of 1954 as set forth in the special message transmitted by the President to the Congress on November 26, 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 17 January 1975
States that all tax returns made with respect to taxes imposed by the Internal Revenue Code are confidential records, and that, except where provided otherwise, no return shall be open to inspection nor shall information contained therein be disclosed. Authorizes inspections of returns by the following persons: (1) the taxpayer or his representative; (2) officers and employees of the Departments of Justice, the Treasury, State agencies entrusted with carrying out the income tax laws, and the Internal Revenue Service solely for administration and enforcement of the income tax laws; and (3) the President of the United States. Authorizes the disclosure of statistical information to State and Federal agencies and the Joint Committee on Internal Revenue. Imposes civil and criminal penalties for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 1975
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of the suitability and feasibility of designating the Vietnam Veterans Chapel, Eagle Nest, New Mexico, as a national memorial to the Vietnam veterans, within the National Park System. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as are necessary for such purpose.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1975
Authorizes all unmarried individuals, except heads of households, to use the same tax tables when computing their tax as are presently applicable to married individuals filing joint returns and to surviving spouses.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1975
Requires judicial confirmation of the need for a jeopardy assessment (an immediate assessment made by the Secretary of the Treasury on the belief that the assessment or collection of a deficiency will be jeopardized by delay) by requiring the Secretary to file a petition for approval of such jeopardy assessment within 5 days after it is made.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1975
Revises the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 relating to property exempt from seizure for collection of taxes to provide an exemption from levy for a specific amount of income based on the number of the taxpayer's dependents. Provides for an annual cost of living increase in such exemption.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1975
Provides that persons who have innocently entered into a legally defective marriage to an individual insured under the Federal Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance program of the Social Security Act and who have lived with such individual as husband or wife for at least 5 years shall be treated, for benefit purposes under such program as if such marriage had been legally valid.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1975
States that the Commissioner of Internal Revenue shall serve for a term of five years, and that no individual may hold such office for more than one term. Prescribes the conditions of filling vacancies in, and removal from, the Office of Commissioner.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1975
National Policy and Priorities for Science and Technology Act - Declares that it is the continuing policy and responsibility of the Federal Government to take appropriate measures directed toward achieving various goals, including: (1) a continuing Federal investment in science and technology adequate to the needs of the Nation; and (2) the strengthening of national capabilities for technological planning and policy formulation. Declares it to be the purpose of this Act to promote the effective application of science and technology to the furtherance of national goals by: (1) establishing a Council of Advisors on Science and Technology in the Executive Office of the President to provide a source of scientific and technological analysis and judgment to the President; (2) establishing an Intergovernmental Science and Technology Advisory Committee to foster the application of science and technology to State and regional needs; (3) establishing an Interagency Federal Coordinating Committee on Science and Technology to coordinate agency research and development efforts; and (4) having the President submit an annual Science and Technology Report to the Congress. Title I: Council of Advisors on Science and Technology - Establishes in the Executive Office of the President a Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. Directs the Council to annually appraise progress in science and technology in relation to the needs of the Nation and, taking account of the state of the economy through consultation with the Council of Economic Advisors, to determine the desired level of Federal investment in science and technology for the fiscal year immediately following the fiscal year in which such determination is made, and make appropriate recommendations to the President and Congress. States that the Council shall serve as a source of scientific and technological analysis and judgment for the President with respect to major policies, plans, and programs of science and technology of the Federal Government. Requires the President to transmit annually to the Congress, beginning October 15, 1976, a Science and Technology Report which shall set forth: (1) a review of development of national significance in science and technology; (2) the significant effects of current and foreseeable trends in science and technology on the social, economic, and other requirements of the Nation; (3) a review and appraisal of selected science and technology-related programs, policies, and activities of the Federal Government; (4) an inventory and projection of critical and emerging national problems the resolution of which might be substantially assisted by the application of science and technology; (5) the identification and assessment of scientific and technological measures that can contribute to the resolution of such problems, in light of the related social, economic, political, and institutional considerations; (6) the existing and projected scientific and technological resources, including specialized manpower, that could contribute to the resolution of such problems; (7) recommendations for legislation on science and technology-related programs and policies that will contribute to the resolution of such problems; and (8) recommendations with regard to Federal investment level and priorities in science and technology, as made by the Council pursuant to this Act. Title II: Federal Coordinating Committee for Science and Technology - Establishes the Federal Coordinating Committee for Science and Technology. States that the Committee shall consider problems and developments in the fields of science and technology and related activities affecting more than one Federal agency, and shall recommend policies and other measures: (1) to provide more effective planning and administration of Federal scientific and technological programs; (2) to identify research needs including areas of research requiring additional emphasis; (3) to achieve more effective utilization of the scientific and technological resources and facilities of Federal agencies, including the elimination of unnecessary duplication; and (4) to further international cooperation in science and technology. Abolishes the Federal Council for Science and Technology. Title III: National Science Foundation - Directs the National Science Foundation to recommend and encourage the pursuit of national policies designed to foster research and education in science and engineering, and the application of scientific and technical knowledge to the solution of national problems. Requires the Foundation to initiate an educational program of continuing education in science and engineering in order to enable scientists and engineers who have been engaged in their careers for at least five years to pursue courses of study designed to: (1) provide them with new knowledge, techniques, and skills in their special fields; or (2) acquire new knowledge, techniques, and skills in other fields which will enable them to render more valuable contributions to the Nation. Title IV: State and Regional Science and Technology Programs - Establishes, within the National Science Foundation, an Intergovernmental Science and Technology Advisory Committee. Provides that the Committee shall advise and assist the Foundation in: (1) identifying and defining civilian problems at the State, regional, and local levels and the environment in which solution to these problems ought to be provided; (2) identifying areas of highest priority for study, assessment, and development of policy alternatives by the Foundation under this title; and (3) identifying and fostering ways to facilitate the transfer and utilization of results of civilian research and development activities so as to maximize the application of science and technology to civilian needs. Authorizes the Director of the National Science Foundation to make grants not to exceed $100,000 to any State to pay a part of the cost of establishing an Office of State Science and Technology. Title V: General Provisions - Authorizes appropriations to carry out the various provisions and titles of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1975
Taxpayer Audit Disclosure Act - Requires the establishment of formal procedures and criteria for the selection of individual income tax returns for audit. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate to provide any individual selected for auditing with a written notice which clearly specifies the reasons for and the manner in which the return of such individual was selected for audit. Provides that the Secretary or his delegate shall furnish to such individual a written explanation which describes the audit procedure, the rights which a taxpayer may exercise during such procedure, the right of the taxpayer to make an administrative or judicial appeal from an adverse decision at the end of such procedure, and the right of the taxpayer to claim a refund. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate to submit to the Joint Committee on Internal Revenue Taxation, before September 30 of each year, a report setting forth: (1) the number of individuals whose returns were selected for audit during the previous 12-month period; (2) a classification of individuals whose returns were audited during the previous 12-month period by, among other factors, income levels, geographic distribution, and profession; (3) the number of individuals audited during the previous 12-month period who were found to have made underpayments or overpayments of tax, together with summary statistics reflecting the percentage of such number, by income category, who made underpayments or overpayments of certain ranges of amounts (to be determined by the Secretary or his delegate); and (4) such other information as may be requested by the joint committee in accordance with the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1975
Allows any person to send any piece of mail not exceeding 4 ounces in weight to the sender's Senator or Representative using a special one-cent stamp to be issued by the Postal Service.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1975
Provides that the charge to a household for its food stamp allotment under the Food Stamp Act of 1964 shall not exceed the lesser of (1) the level established as of January 1, 1975, or (2) 25 percent of the household's income. Provide that effective July 1, 1975, households in which all members receive supplemental security income benefits under the Aid to the Aged, Blind, or Disabled program of the Social Security Act, or households in which all members are included in a federally aided public assistance or general assistance grant shall be certified for participation in the food stamp program under this Act. States that certification of all other households shall be based on the uniform national standards for eligibility required to be established under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1975
Establishes a temporary commission to be known as the Special Commission on Guadalupe-Hidalgo Land Rights. Directs the Commission to make a comprehensive study and analysis of the provisions of the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo between the United States and Mexico and determine: (1) what property rights were vested by the treaty in private land holders and their heirs; (2) whether those rights have been properly protected by the United States since 1848; and (3) if the Commission finds that such rights have not been properly protected, the most equitable means of setting claims it deems meritorious. Sets forth the membership and administrative powers of the Commission. Authorizes appropriations of such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1975
Constitutional Amendment - Provides for the direct popular election of the President and Vice President. Provides that each voter shall cast a single vote for two persons who shall have consented to the joining of their names as candidates for the offices of President and Vice President. States that the persons joined as candidates for President and Vice President having the greatest number of votes shall be elected President and Vice President, if such number be at least 40 percent of the total number of votes cast. Stipulates that if, after such election, none of the persons joined as candidates for President and Vice President is elected, the Congress shall assemble in special session and choose immediately, from the two pairs of persons joined as candidates for President and Vice President who received the highest numbers of votes cast in the election, one such pair by ballot. States that the Congress may by law provide for the case of the death, inability, or withdrawal of any candidate for President or Vice President before a President and Vice President have been elected, and for the case of the death of both the President-elect and Vice-President-elect.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Provides under the Standing Rules of the Senate, that if at any time a motion signed by sixteen Senators, to bring to a close the debate upon any measure, motion, or other matter pending before the Senate, or the unfinished business, is presented to the Senate, the Presiding Officer shall at once state the motion to the Senate, and one hour after the Senate meets on the following calendar day but one, he shall lay the motion before the Senate and direct that the Secretary call the roll, and upon the ascertainment that a quorum is present, the Presiding Officer shall, without debate, submit to the Senate by a yea-and-nay vote the question of whether it is the sense of the Senate that the debate shall be brought to a close. States that if that question be decided in the affirmative by three-fifths of the Senators present and voting, then said measure, motion, or other matter pending before the Senate, or the unfinished business, shall be the unfinished business to the exclusion of all other business until disposed of.
United States · United States Congress · 12 December 1974
Taxpayer Audit Disclosure Act - Requires the establishment of formal procedures and criteria for the selection of individual income tax returns for audit. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate to provide any individual selected for auditing with a written notice which clearly specifies the reasons for and manner in which the return of such individual was selected for audit. Provides that the Secretary or his delegate shall furnish to such individual a written explanation which describes the audit procedure, the rights which a taxpayer may exercise during such procedure, the right of the taxpayer to make an administrative or judicial appeal from an adverse decision at the end of such procedure, and the right of the taxpayer to claim a refund. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate to submit to the Joint Committee on Internal Revenue Taxation before September 30 of each year a report setting forth: (1) the number of individuals whose returns were selected for audit during the previous 12-month period; (2) a classification of individuals whose returns were audited during the previous 12-month period by, among other factors, income levels, geographic distribution, and profession; (3) the number of individuals audited during the previous 12-month period who were found to have made underpayments or overpayments of tax, together with summary statistics reflecting the percentage of such number, by income category, who made underpayments or overpayments of certain ranges of amounts (to be determined by the Secretary or his delegate); and (4) such other information as may be requested by the joint committee in accordance with the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 1974
Watergate Reorganization and Reform Act - Title I: Establishment of Government Offices - Establishes, as an independent establishment of the Government, the Office of the Public Attorney, under the direction of the Public Attorney, appointed by three retired courts of appeals judges designated by the Chief Justice of the United States. States that no individual may serve as Public Attorney unless agreeing not to occupy any popularly elected office under the United States or to accept any other employment in the Government for five years aftter termination of services as the Public Attorney. Directs the Public Attorney to investigate and prosecute: (1) allegations of corruption in the administration of the laws by the executive branch of the Government; (2) cases referred by the Attorney General because of actual or potential conflicts of interest; (3) criminal cases referred to him by the Federal Election Commission; and (4) allegations of violations of Federal laws relating to campaigns and elections for elective office. Requires the Public Attorney to notify the Attorney General of the initiation of an investigation or proceeding with respect to such matters. Limits the Attorney General's activities in any such matters without prior written approval and requires him to inform the Public Attorney of any investigation which falls udner the Public Attorney's jurisdiction. Enumerates the powers of the Public Attorney, including: (1) to issue appropriate instructions to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other domestic investigative agencies of the United States; (2) to receive appropriate national security clearances; and (3) to exercise all other powers as to the conduct of criminal investigations, prosecutions (including prosecutions for perjury committed in the course of any investigation or judicial or legislative hearing with respect to any matter within his jurisdiction), civil proceedings, and appeals within his jurisdiction that would otherwise be vested exclusively in the Attorney General and the United States attorney. Details the administrative powers of the Public Attorney. Makes unlawful the disclosure of specifiec confidential information to persons who are likely to or have become the subject of an investigation by the Public Attorney, with enumerated limitations, and imposes criminal penalties for so doing. Establishes within the Congress a Congressional Legal Service, under the direction of the Congressional Legal Counsel appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate. Enumerates the duties of the Congressional Legal Counsel, including: to render, upon request of either House of Congress, a joint committee of Congress, any committee of either House of Congress, at least three Senators, or twelve Members of the House of Representatives, legal opinions upon questions arising under the Constitution and laws of the United States. Authorizes to be appointed such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions relating to the Office of the Congressional Legal Counsel and such sums as may be necessary for the performance of the duties of the Congressional Legal Counsel under this title. Title II: Government Personnel - Requires an individual who holds the Office of President or Vice President at any time during the year to file a report with the Comptroller General, not later than May of the following year, containing a full and complete statement of: (1) the amount of each tax paid; (2) the amount and source of each item of income; (3) the identity of each asset held by him; (4) any transaction in securities of any business; (5) all transactions in commodities by him; (6) any purchase or sale, other than the purchase or sale of his personal residence, of real property; and (7) any expenditure made by another individual for the personal benefit of him or his spouse. Provides that all such reports filed shall be maintained by the Comptroller General as public records. Prohibits campaign solicitations by appointees confirmed by the Senate and executive office personnel. Provides that any individual employed by any agency of the Executive Office of the President, who is compensated from appropriated funds, shall not engage in any investigative or intelligence gathering activity concerning national or domestic security unless specifically authorized to do so by statute. Increases the penalties for interference with elections by Government employees. Requires an annual disclosure of requests from an officer, including the President, or employee of the Executive Office for information or an investigation on the tax liability of any taxpayer. Requires that all such requests from the Executive Office of the President be in writing. Title III: Congressional Activities - Provides that the District Court for the District of Columbia shall have original jurisdiction, without regard to the sum or value of the matter in controversy, over any civil action brought by either House of Congress, any committee or joint committee, to enforce or secure a declaration concerning the validity of any subpena or order issued by such House or committee, or by any subcommittee of such committee, to any officer, including the President and Vice President, or any employee of the executive branch of the United States Government to secure the production of information, documents, or other materials. Makes provisions governing perjury before Congressional committees and testimony before Senate committees. Title IV: Federal Election Campaign Activities, Contributions, and Criminal Sanctions - Repeals provisions of the Internal Revenue Code relating to the deduction for contributions to candidates for public office. Provides that whoever embezzles, steals, or by fraud or deception obtains from any individual who has publicly declared his intent to seek nomination for election, or election, to any Federal office, any campaign materials, documents, or papers which are not available for public dissemination and which belong to any such person shall be fined not more than $5,000, or imprisoned not more than five years, or both. Imposes criminal penalties for: (1) the use of funds to finance violation of provisions of Federal election laws; (2) contributions by specified recipients of Federal funds; (3) the fraudulent infiltration of Federal election campaigns for espionage and sabotage purposes; (4) misrepresentations of a canditate for elective office; and (5) crimes affecting elections. Provides that whoever intentionally obstructs, impairs, or perverts the Government of the United States, or any department or agency thereof, in any manner, shall be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 1974
Authorizes the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to make a grant for the construction of facilities for the International Space Hall of Fame in Alamogords, New Mexico. Authorizes appropriations of up to $7,040,000 to carry out the provisions of this resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 1974
Authorizes to be appropriated, under the Public Works and Economic Development Act, an additional $250,000,000 for each fiscal year, 1975 and 1976, for areas designated by the Secretary of Commerce as redevelopment areas. Expands the purposes for which the Secretary may make grants to eligible recipients to include short-term work projects to improve, beautify, or enhance the environment. Increases to $250,000,000 the sum authorized to be appropriated for each fiscal year 1975 and 1976 to provide special programs to meet the needs arising from threatened or severe unemployment and economic dislocation under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 1974
Social Services Amendments - Authorizes necessary appropriations each fiscal year for payments to States for provision of social services directed toward the goal of: (1) achieving or maintaining economic self-support to prevent, reduce, or eliminate dependency; (2) preventing or remedying neglect, abuse, or exploitation of children and adults unable to protect their own interests, or preserving, rehabilitating, or reuniting families; (3) preventing or reducing inappropriate institutional care by providing for community-based care, home-based, or other forms of less intensive care, or; (4) securing referral or admission for institutional care when other forms of care are not appropriate. Requires that 50 percent of such payments to States be for provision of services to individuals who are receiving (or are eligible to receive) aid under the Aid to Needy Families with Children, Supplemental Security Income, and Medicaid programs of the Social Security Act. Prohibits payments to States for aid to individuals with incomes above specified levels. Requires that expenditure by States under this Act for child day care services be for day care services which meet the Federal interagency day care requirements as approved by the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare and the Office of Economic Opportunity. Prohibits, with specified exceptions, State expenditures under this Act for services to individuals living in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities, prisons, or foster homes. Prohibits such expenditures for services to individuals eligible for Medicare aid. Requires that States participating in the programs established under this Act report annually on the results of specified evaluations and audits of their participation. Allows suspension of payments to States failing to meet requirements under this Act. Requires States to provide hearings for individuals whose claims to services under this Act are denied, to restrict disclosure of information obtained on individuals pursuant to this Act, and to refrain from imposing durational residency or citizenship requirements upon individuals as a condition to participation in programs under this Act. States that comprehensive plans must be published by States setting forth their programs under this Act which will be pursued in the ensuing year. Requires that such plan include descriptions of objectives, individuals and geographic areas to be served, descriptions of implementation procedures, estimated expenditures, and services to be rendered. Requires annual evaluations of the programs under this Act by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1974
Establishes a temporary commission to be known as the Special Commission on Guadalupe-Hidalgo Land Rights. Directs the Commission to make a comprehensive study and analysis of the provisions of the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo between the United States and Mexico and determine: (1) what property rights were vested by the treaty in private land holders and their heirs; (2) whether those rights have been properly protected by the United States since 1848; and (3) if the Commission finds that such rights have not been properly protected, the most equitable means of setting claims it deems meritorious. Sets forth the membership and administrative powers of the Commission. Authorizes appropriations of such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1974
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the well-being of the world and all of its people is gravely threatened by exorbitant or rigged foreign oil prices. States that it is further the sense of the Senate that Congress and the American people support President Ford and Secretary Kissinger in their call to the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries to lower the price of petroleum.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1974
Joint Committee on Intelligance Oversight Act - Establishes a Joint Committee on Intelligence Oversight, specifying the composition of such Committee and enumerating its duties, including to conduct a continuing study of the activites of the Central Intelligence Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Secret Service, and other specified agencies of the Federal Government. States that no funds may be appropriated for the purpose of carrying out any intelligence or surveillance activity unless such funds have been specifically authorized by legislation enacted after this Act. Sets forth the administrative powers of the Committee, the procedures for classification of information, and the recordkeeping requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1974
Presidential Recordings Preservation Act - Directs the Administrator of General Services to obtain, or, as the case may be, retain complete possession and control of all tape recordings of conversations which: (1) involve former President Richard M. Nixon and/or other individuals who, at the time of the conversation, were employed by the Federal Government; (2) were recorded in the White House or the Executive Office Building located in Washington, District of Columbia; and (3) were recorded between January 20, 1969, and August 9, 1974, inclusive. Requires that none of the tape recordings covered by this Act shall be destroyed except as may be provided by Congress. Provides that if a Federal court of competent jurisdiction should decide that the provisions of this Act have deprived any individual of private property without just compensation, the Administrator is authorized to provide such compensation, from funds in the Federal treasury, as may be adjudged just by a Federal court of competent jurisdiction. Directs the Administrator to issue such reasonable regulations as may be necessary to assure the protection of such tape recordings above from loss, destruction, or access to unauthorized persons. Directs the Administrator to issue reasonable regulations governing public access to such tape recordings. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1974
Provides that tax returns are confidential, and, therefore, are not open to inspection, and that information contained in them shall not be disclosed. Permits, under regulations established by the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service, the inspection of tax returns by the taxpayer, the Internal Revenue Service, the Justice Department, State tax authorities, the President, and the Joint Committee on Internal Revenue Taxation. Requires a report to the Joint Committee of returns inspected and by whom inspected. Establishes criminal penalties for unauthorized disclosure or receipt of tax return information.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1974
Expresses the sense of the Senate that Presidential pardons not be granted to individuals accused of committing criminal offenses in connection with the Presidential campaign and election of 1972.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1974
Expresses the sense of the Senate that executive pardons with respect to Watergate and related offenses should not be considered until the judicial process has run its full course with respect to such matters.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1974
Home Purchase Assistance Act - Requires that whenever the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development determines that a substantial number of families are unable to obtain mortgage credit at reasonable rates due to high interest rates or reduced availability of mortgage credit and that the inability to obtain such credit is causing or threatening to cause a significant reduction in the volume of home construction or acquisition and thereby adversely affect the economy and delay the orderly achievement of the national housing goals contained in title XVI of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968, the Secretary shall direct the Government National Mortgage Association to begin making commitments to purchase mortgages in accordance with the provisions of this Act. Establishes within the Association a housing trust fund which shall be used to carry out such purposes. Provides that mortgages may be purchased under this Act only if: (1) such mortgage was executed to finance the acquisition of the principal residence of the mortgagor; and (2) such mortgage involves the acquisition or construction of a residential dwelling at a cost which does not exceed $30,000 (or such greater amount, but not to exceed $45,000 as may be necessary to meet the need for mortgage credit in high cost areas). States that the Association shall not permit the aggregate outstanding amount of mortgages held by the fund under this section to increase by more than $10,000,000,000 in any single fiscal year. Requires that 50 percent of the aggregate principal amount of home mortgages purchased under this Act in any fiscal year shall involve residences upon which construction has been completed within 12 months preceding the date of purchase.
United States · United States Congress · 21 August 1974
States that no person and no agency of the Government of the United States, or of any State or political subdivision of a State, shall be permitted to inspect a return of tax filed with the Internal Revenue Service by a taxpayer unless: (1) the Secretary or his delegate notifies the taxpayer in writing of the request to inspect such return; and (2) the Internal Revenue Service receives written consent from such taxpayer to such inspection. Imposes a $10,000 fine and a 5-year imprisonment, or both, for persons illegally disclosing or receiving tax return information.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1974
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the leadership of the Nation responsible for our economic wellbeing meet together immediately in a spirit of unity to design a set of policy actions to achieve the common goal of restoring stability and growth to the American economy and confidence and prosperity to the American people. Directs that this domestic summit be convened forthwith comprised of the President, the majority and minority leadership of both Houses of the Congress, the chairmen and ranking minority members of the Appropriations Committees of both Houses, the chairmen and ranking minority members of the Senate Finance Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee, and the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board, together with leaders of labor and business, and such other participants as they may agree upon. Provides that they shall meet and devote such time as necessary until a plan of action is decided upon which, by its demonstration of renewed unity, direction, and purpose, will gain the public support and confidence necessary to be effective in overcoming these difficulties.
![Official portrait of Sen. Montoya, Joseph M. [D-NM]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/m000876_200.jpg)