United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1987
Supports the President in seeking global measures regarding the adverse effects resulting from the release of chlorofluorocarbons and other manufactured chemicals that may deplete the ozone layer, including negotiating an immediate international reduction in the use of chlorofluorocarbons and the expeditious elimination of fully halogenated chlorofluorocarbons and other manufacturing chemicals that may deplete the ozone layer.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1987
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the Federal Government should maintain its role in vocational education through the continued provision of vocational education grants to the States; and (2) the proposal to eliminate Federal funding for vocational education should be rejected.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 1987
Establishes the Veterans Administration as an executive department redesignated as the Department of Veterans' Affairs. Makes technical and conforming changes, including the redesignation of the Administrator as the Secretary of Veterans' Affairs.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 1987
Amends the National Housing Act to make authority permanent for: (1) title I financial institution insurance for housing renovation and modernization; (2) general mortgage insurance; (3) low and moderate income and displaced families mortgage insurance; (4) mortgage co-insurance, including rental rehabilitation and development projects; (5) mortgage insurance for armed forces' civilian employees and defense housing for impacted areas; (6) mortgage insurance for land development; (7) mortgage insurance for medical and dental group practice facilities; and (8) graduated payment and indexed mortgage insurance. Amends the Housing Act of 1964 to make authority permanent for urban rehabilitation loans. Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to make authority permanent for: (1) insured loans for rental and cooperative housing and related facilities for elderly persons and families in rural areas; and (2) mutual and self-help housing grants and loans. Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1986 to make national flood insurance authority, including emergency implementation provisions, permanent.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1987
Whistleblower Protection Act of 1987 - Separates the Office of Special Counsel from the Merit Systems Protection Board. Empowers the Special Counsel to represent and act as legal counsel on behalf of employees alleging prohibited personnel practices, especially whistleblowers. Revises current law with respect to the Special Counsel to reflect its advocate status. Authorizes the Special Counsel to file a petition to the Board against an official for: (1) engaging in prohibited personnel practices; (2) violating a law within the jurisdiction of the Special Counsel; or (3) failing to comply with an order of the Board. Sets forth disciplinary actions for such officials. Requires the Special Counsel to report annually to the Congress on its activities. Authorizes employees who have been adversely affected by a prohibited personnel practice to bring an action before the Board (instead of or in addition to taking such action to the Special Counsel). Authorizes such employees to obtain judicial review of the Board's decision in the appropriate court of appeals. Prohibits reprisals against an employee for disclosing information to the Inspector General of an agency or to the Special Counsel, or for failing to follow orders to disobey a law. Subjects the Tennessee Valley Authority to prohibited personnel practices provisions. Authorizes appropriations for the Merit Systems Protection Board for FY 1988 through 1992 and for the Office of Special Counsel for FY 1988 through 1990.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1987
Construction Industry Labor Law Amendments of 1987 - Amends the National Labor Relations Act to provide that in the construction industry two or more business entities engaged in the same or similar work shall be deemed a single employer if they have: (1) substantial common ownership; (2) common management; or (3) common control. Applies the terms of a collective bargaining agreement regarding employees of such business entities to all other business entities comprising the same single employer within the geographical area covered by the agreement. States that collective bargaining agreements may only be repudiated after the National Labor Relations Board certifies election results in which a majority of the employees select a bargaining representative other than the representative with whom such agreement was made. Expresses the sense of the Congress that violence and coercion are inimical to the collective bargaining process and that employees and labor organizations in the building and construction industry should never use or condone violence in fulfilling the objectives of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1987
Omnibus Trade Act of 1987 - Title I: Authority to Negotiate Trade Agreement - Grants the President, during a specified ten-year period, the authority to enter into multilateral trade agreements to reduce or eliminate trade barriers or distortions whenever the President determines that such barriers to, or distortions of, international trade: (1) unduly burden or restrict U.S. foreign trade or adversely affect the U.S. economy; or (2) are likely to result in such a burden, restriction, or effect. Limits the amount of reduction in duty that such agreements may involve. Authorizes the President, during a specified ten-year period, to enter into bilateral trade agreements with foreign countries providing for the reduction or elimination of trade barriers or distortions. Provides that such a bilateral trade agreement may be entered into only if: (1) the foreign country requested the negotiation of such an agreement; and (2) the President provides 60 days' notice to specified congressional committees and consults with such committees. Requires the President, before entering into negotiation of such a multilateral or bilateral trade agreement, to determine: (1) whether state trading enterprises account for a significant share of the exports of such foreign country or of the goods of such country that are subject to import competition; and (2) whether such state trading enterprises unduly burden or restrict, or adversely affect U.S. foreign trade or the U.S. economy or are likely to result in such a burden, restriction, or effect. Authorizes the President, if a country's state trading enterprises meet such criteria, to enter into a multilateral or bilateral trade agreement with such country only if such agreement provides that the state trading enterprises: (1) will make non-governmental purchases and sales in international trade in accordance with commercial considerations; and (2) will give U.S. businesses adequate opportunity to compete for participation in such purchases and sales. Provides that a multilateral or bilateral trade agreement may be entered into only if the trade agreement: (1) meets at least one of the negotiating objectives described in this Act; (2) provides for the reciprocal exchange of obligations among the signatories to the agreement; (3) provides a reasonable likelihood that the United States can enforce the obligations of such agreement; and (4) complements and reinforces existing agreements with non-signatory countries and existing U.S. agreements on related economic subjects. Requires the President, before entering into such a multilateral or bilateral trade agreement, to consult with specified congressional committees. Requires the U.S. Trade Representative to consult with interested congressional committees on a continuing basis in order to inform the Congress of trade negotiations and the progress in meeting, and obstacles to achieving, U.S. trade negotiating objectives. Provides that a multilateral or bilateral trade agreement entered into under this Act shall enter into force with respect to the United States if: (1) the President has notified the Congress of the intent to enter into such an agreement; (2) after entering into the agreement the President submits the final legal text of the agreement to the Congress together with other specified materials; and (3) the implementing bill is enacted. Authorizes the President to make certain recommendations to the Congress in order to ensure that a foreign country that receives benefits under a trade agreement is subject to obligations under the agreement. Imposes limitations on the use of expedited congressional procedures for the consideration of an implementing bill or approval resolution relating to such trade agreements. Declares that the overall objectives of the United States in international trade negotiations shall be to obtain: (1) more open, fair, and equitable market access; (2) the reduction or elimination of barriers and other trade-distorting practices; (3) an appropriate overall balance between benefits and concessions within the agricultural, manufacturing, mining and service sectors; and (4) improved management of the new global economy. Sets forth the principal objectives in negotiating such agreements. Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to declare that the principal U.S. negotiating objectives under the import relief provisions of such Act shall be to eliminate or reduce foreign barriers to equitable access by U.S. persons to foreign development technology. Requires the United States, in pursuing such objectives, to take into account U.S. policies in licensing or otherwise making available to foreign persons technology and other information developed by U.S. laboratories. Provides termination and reservation authority for trade agreements entered into under this Act. Requires the President to determine, after a specified five-year period, whether any major industrial country has failed to make reciprocal concessions under a trade agreement. Requires the President to recommend certain legislation to the Congress with respect to such a country if the country has failed to make such concessions. Provides that no political party shall dominate the membership of specified trade advisory committees. Requires the President to make the same determinations regarding state trading enterprises before a foreign country accedes to a multinational trade agreement to which the United States is a party that the President is required to make before entering into negotiation of a multilateral or bilateral trade agreement under this Act. Requires the President, if a country's state trading enterprises meet such criteria, to reserve the right of the United States to withhold extension of such agreement between the United States and such country. Provides that, if a country's state trading enterprises meet such criteria such trade agreement shall not apply between the United States and such country until: (1) such country and the United States enter into an agreement providing that the state trading enterprises will make certain purchases and sales in accordance with commercial considerations and will afford U.S. businesses an opportunity to compete for such purchases and sales; or (2) a bill which approves the extension of such agreement between the United States and such foreign country is enacted. Provides for expedited congressional consideration of such an implementing bill. Requires the President to begin bilateral negotiations on an expedited basis with each foreign country which pegs its currency to the U.S. dollar to ensure that such country regularly adjusts the exchange rate between its currency and the dollar to reflect underlying economic fundamentals. Requires the President to submit to the Congress a semi-annual report on such negotiations and developments in the exchange rates. Title II: Enhancing Competitiveness - Subtitle A: Positive Adjustment in Import-Impacted Industries - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to change the chapter providing for import relief. Provides that a petition for eligibility for import relief for the purpose of facilitating orderly adjustment to import competition may be filed with the International Trade Commission (ITC) by any entity which is representative of an industry. Requires the petition to include a statement describing the specific purposes for which import relief is being sought. Requires the ITC to begin an investigation to determine whether an article is being imported in such increased quantities as to be a substantial cause of serious injury, or threat of serious injury, to a competing domestic industry upon: (1) request of the President or the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); (2) resolution of specified congressional committees; or (3) filing of a petition. Requires the ITC, in making such determination, to consider all relevant economic factors. Lists certain factors to be considered, including, with respect to serious injury, the inability of a significant number of firms to operate domestic production facilities at a reasonable profit and, with respect to threat of serious injury: (1) export targeting by a foreign government; (2) the existence of affirmative antidumping or countervailing duty determinations relating to a specified country; (3) the extent of the inability of the domestic industry to maintain its research and development expenditures; and (4) the extent to which articles are being diverted to the United States because of export or import restraints in a third country. Sets forth the methods to be used by the ITC to determine the relevant domestic industry, including requiring the ITC to treat as part of an industry only its domestic production even if the industry also imports. Defines "substantial cause" to mean a cause which is important and not less than any other cause. Requires the ITC to: (1) investigate and report on efforts made by firms and workers in the industry to compete more effectively; and (2) investigate any factors which may be contributing to increase imports and, if the ITC has reason to believe that the increased imports are attributable to dumping, to notify the appropriate agency. Declares that imports of competitive articles by domestic producers shall not be considered a factor indicating the absence of serious injury or threat of serious injury to such industry. Requires the ITC to examine factors other than imports which may be a cause of injury or threat of injury to the domestic industry. Requires the ITC to hold public hearings in import relief investigations. Requires the ITC to make a determination within 150 days of the start of an import relief investigation. Prohibits an import relief investigation with respect to a domestic industry which during the preceding ten years was the subject of a previous investigation that resulted in: (1) tariff changes, import quotas, or orderly marketing agreements; or (2) the granting of an antitrust exemption to such domestic industry. Prohibits for one year any import relief investigation, except for good cause, of the same subject matter as a previous investigation that did not succeed in obtaining relief. Requires the President to impose provisional import relief if the President finds that critical circumstances exist. Sets forth limitations on the duration of such relief. Declares that critical circumstances exist if a significant increase in imports over a short period of time has led to circumstances in which a delay in the imposition of relief would cause damage to the domestic industry that would be difficult to remedy under the regular import relief procedure. Permits a petition which alleges import injury to a perishable product to be filed with the Secretary of Agriculture with a request that emergency relief be granted. Sets forth the procedure and timetable for granting such emergency relief. Requires the USTR to establish a plan development group for the domestic industry producing articles like, or directly competitive with, the article that is the subject of the import relief investigation. Requires such group to be established whenever the ITC begins any import relief investigation. Requires each plan development group to consist of officials from various Federal agencies and individuals who are representative of the firms and of the workers in the domestic industry. Requires each plan development group to prepare for the industry concerned as assessment of current problems and a competitive enhancement strategy that sets forth objectives and steps that workers and firms could undertake to: (1) improve the industry's competitiveness; (2) assist the industry to adjust to new methods of competition; (3) lead to a domestic industry that can compete after the expiration of any import relief actions; and (4) adjust to import competition through the orderly transfer of resources to alternative uses. Sets forth information to be included in such assessment and strategy. Requires the report on such assessment and strategy to be submitted to the ITC and to the petitioner, if any, within 120 days after the ITC starts the import relief investigation. Requires a petitioner for import relief to file an adjustment plan with the ITC within seven days (later if authorized by the ITC) of the ITC finding that import relief is warranted. Authorizes any trade association, firm, union, or group of workers that represents a significant portion of the affected domestic industry to file such an adjustment plan with the ITC if the import relief action was not initiated by petition. Requires the ITC to select one plan if more than one adjustment plan is submitted. Requires the adjustment plan to set forth: (1) the specific objectives of the import relief being requested (including the facilitation of orderly transfer of resources to alternative uses or other means of adjusting to competition); (2) a schedule for achieving such objectives; and (3) a description of actions which will be taken to achieve such objectives. Sets forth factors that may be addressed in such adjustment plan. Requires the USTR to present to the ITC and to the President the opinions of the heads of various Federal agencies on the viability of such adjustment plans. Requires the ITC, after an adjustment plan is submitted, to try to obtain, on a confidential basis, commitments from the members of the domestic industry regarding: (1) how such members intend to act upon the objectives and actions set forth in such plan; and (2) any other actions such members intend to take to foster the objectives of the adjustment plan. Requires the ITC to transmit such commitments to specified Federal officials, on a confidential basis. Provides for administration of the plan development groups. Exempts participation in plan development groups from the antitrust laws. Requires the ITC to report to the President on the determination made by the ITC in an import relief investigation. Sets forth information to be included in such report. Requires the ITC, if it determines that import relief is warranted, to: (1) recommend actions which the President is authorized to take that (alone or in combination with other actions) create a reasonable expectation that the domestic industry can compete successfully with imports after the termination of the import relief; or (2) if the ITC finds no such reasonable expectation, recommend actions which the President is authorized to take that are necessary to provide for the orderly transfer of such industry's resources; (3) determine, for purposes of limiting import relief actions, the amount of any change in import restrictions which would prevent or remedy the serious injury or threat of serious injury caused by imports; and (4) include specified information in the report to the President, including a description of the short- and long-term effects of the implementation of the recommendation on other domestic industries and consumers. Limits the extent of the impact of, and the duration of, the import relief recommended by the ITC. Provides for public hearings by the ITC on its recommendations. Requires the ITC to: (1) consider specified factors in making such recommendations; (2) report to the President on import relief determinations within 180 days of the start of the investigation; and (3) furnish additional information to the President upon request. Requires the President, if the ITC makes an affirmative unanimous determination that import relief is warranted, to take, within 30 days of receipt of the ITC report: (1) the actions recommended by the ITC; or (2) other actions which are at least substantially equivalent to the actions recommended by the ITC. Requires the President to submit a draft of a bill waiving the above requirement and containing the actions the President has decided to take if the President decides that: (1) actions other than those recommended by the ITC or their substantial equivalent should be taken; or (2) no action should be taken. Provides for expedited congressional consideration of such bill. Provides for congressional veto (by enactment of a joint resolution of disapproval) of the President's decision to take other action or no action. Requires the President, if the ITC determines in a non-unanimous vote that import relief is warranted, to: (1) take import relief actions that create a reasonable expectation that the domestic industry can compete successfully with imports after the termination of such relief; or (2) take actions to provide for the orderly transfer of the resources of the domestic industry to other productive pursuits if the President does not find such a reasonable expectation. Declares that the President shall not be required to take any import relief action following a non-unanimous import relief determination by the ITC if the President determines that the import relief would be deterimental to national security or would cause serious injury to a domestic industry. Sets forth the timetable for actions by the President in import relief actions. Sets forth the import relief actions the President is authorized to take, including providing trade adjustment assistance and antitrust exemptions, directing the initiation of antidumping and countervailing duty investigations, and entering into multilateral negotiations. Sets forth the criteria for granting antitrust exemptions and initiating antidumping actions. Limits the amount of increase of any duty provided as import relief. Limits the extent of any quantitative restriction on imports that is imposed as import relief. Postpones the implementation of import relief is the President publishes notice of intent to negotiate an orderly marketing agreement. Provides for administration, review, and termination of import relief actions taken by the President. Provides for termination of import relief if the USTR finds that: (1) a domestic industry has failed to implement the recommended objectives and actions specified in the adjustment plan submitted to the ITC or the actions declared in the confidential information submitted in connection with such plan; and (2) such failure is not justified by changed circumstances and has adversely affected overall implementation of the objectives specified in the plan. Limits the duration, with specified exceptions, of import relief actions to: (1) eight years; or (2) the period of time in which the domestic industry can compete successfully without import relief or the period of time in which an orderly transfer of resources can be completed. Provides for one five-year extension of import relief. Provides for reducing import relief every three years if the import relief lasts more than three years. Authorizes the President, if an orderly marketing agreement is negotiated, to suspend or terminate import relief provisions dealing with tariff modifications. Provides for the reduction or termination of import relief actions if: (1) no commitments were made to the ITC by any members of the domestic industry; and (2) the President makes a specified determination relating to achievement of the objectives of the import relief actions. Requires the ITC to evaluate the effectiveness of the import relief actions after holding public hearings and to report to the President and to the Congress on such evaluation. Subtitle B: Trade Competitiveness Assistance - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to change the eligibility requirements for trade adjustment assistance for workers and firms. Refers to trade adjustment assistance as trade competitiveness assistance. Authorizes the certification of workers and firms as eligible for such assistance if there are increases in imports of articles that are competitive with articles to which the workers (through their firms) or the firms provide essential parts or services. Requires a worker, in order to receive cash assistance, to: (1) be enrolled in a training program approved by the Secretary of Labor; (2) have completed such a program; or (3) have received a written certification from the Secretary or the relevant State or State agency that it is not feasible or appropriate to approve a training program for such worker. Prohibits payment of such assistance to such worker if the worker has failed to begin, or has ceased to participate in, such training program without justifiable cause until the worker begins or resumes participation in such training program. Requires the Secretary to report annually to specified congressional committees on the number of workers who received certifications on the non-feasibility or inappropriateness of job training during the preceding year. Increases the maximum trade readjustment allowance to an amount equal to 78 (currently 52) times the amount of one week's trade readjustment allowance. Provides that such increase shall apply to a worker who receives a certification of non-feasibility of job training. Requires that, if the Secretary approves training for adversely affected workers, the training must be reasonably available. Provides that such training may be paid for directly or through a voucher system. Limits the total amount of payments for training for each adversely affected worker to $4,000. Requires each cooperating State agency (agency which provides trade adjustment assistance services) to advise adversely affected workers of training opportunities as soon as practicable. (Current law requires the agency to provided such advice within 60 days of receiving an application for training.) Terminates on September 30, 1991, trade adjustment assistance programs for workers, technical assistance for firms, and the imposition of import fees to fund such programs. Authorizes appropriations for trade adjustment assistance for workers and for firms through FY 1989. (Current law authorizes such appropriations through FY 1991.) Establishes within the Treasury a Trade Competitiveness Assistance Trust Fund. Provides for its funding. Requires the amounts in the Trust Fund to be used to: (1) pay drawbacks and refunds of the duty imposed on all imports by this Act; and (2) carry out trade adjustment assistance for workers and firms to the extent and in such amounts as provided by appropriations Acts. Prohibits the use of the amounts in the Trust Fund to pay certain loans guaranteed under programs for trade adjustment assistance for firms. Directs the President to undertake negotiations to change the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) to allow countries to impose a small uniform duty on all imports in order to use the revenue from such duty to fund trade adjustment assistance programs. Directs the President to report to the Congress six months after enactment of this Act on the progress of such negotiations. Directs the President to report to the Congress as soon as the GATT allows the imposition of such a duty. Imposes an additional duty on all imports into the United States, including those imports granted duty-free treatment, with specified exceptions. Title III: Unfair International Trade Practices Investigations - Subtitle A: Mandatory Responses to Unfair Distortion of International Trade - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to require the national trade estimate prepared annually by USTR to include a list of the trade barriers of each foreign country and an estimate of the value of additional U.S. goods and services and the value of additional foreign direct investment by U.S. persons that would have been exported to, or invested in, each foreign country if each of such trade barriers did not exist. Requires the USTR to consider the value of such U.S. exports and investments in determining the trade distorting impact of such trade barriers. Changes the date on which such annual report (to be known as the National Trade Estimate) is due to March 31. Requires the President, if a country is identified in the 1986 National Trade Estimate as a country that has foreign trade barriers and the USTR determines that such country maintains a consistent pattern of barriers and market distorting practices, to initiate negotiations with such country to eliminate such barriers. Requires the USTR to determine, within 30 days of enactment of this Act, with respect to each such country whether such country maintains such a pattern of market barriers. Declares that Japan is such a country. Requires the President to report to the Congress by December 31, 1988, on the effects of any agreements reached by such negotiations. Requires the USTR to initiate investigations with respect to those trade barriers identified in the National Trade Estimate which constitute significant trade barriers or distortions and which are likely to be: (1) unjustifiable; or (2) unjustifiable, unreasonable or discriminatory and restrictive of U.S. commerce and, if eliminated, are likely to result in the greatest expansion of U.S. exports. Exempts the USTR from initiating an investigation under (2) if such an investigation would be detrimental to other efforts to eliminate such barriers. Defines significant barriers to and distortions of trade. Requires the USTR to determine within nine months of the start of an investigation, whether: (1) the United States is being denied any trade rights; or (2) the trade practices being investigated constitute unfair practices. Requires the USTR to provide an opportunity for the presentation of the views of interested parties and to obtain advice from appropriate advisory bodies either before or after making such determination depending upon whether expeditious action is required. Requires the USTR to make the determination more quickly (within six months) if export targeting is alleged. Requires the President to take the actions necessary to enforce U.S. trade rights and to eliminate unfair trade practices if such determination is affirmative. Sets forth the time frame in which such actions must be taken. Authorizes the President to postpone taking such actions if the President makes a specified certification to the Congress. Prohibits the President from granting more than two postponements. Declares that the President is not required to take any actions if: (1) the contracting parties to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) make a determination that conflicts with the USTR's determination of unfair trade practices; (2) an agreement is entered into between the United States and the foreign country involved and the affected domestic industry or the petitioner agrees that such agreement adequately offsets the unfair trade practices and enforces U.S. trade rights; or (3) the investigation of such trade practices was not initiated by a finding in the National Trade Estate of unjustifiable trade barriers and the President submits a specified certification to the Congress. Terminates any actions taken in response to such investigations after seven years if there is no request for continuation of the action. Provides for formal review, upon request, of the necessity of the continuation of the action request. Requires the USTR to report to the Congress on such review. Authorizes the President to modify or terminate an action taken pursuant to such an investigation if: (1) the contracting parties to the GATT have determined, or a GATT panel of experts has reported, that the action violates U.S. international obligations or that the trade practice to which the action responds is not a violation of, or inconsistent with, a trade agreement or does not impair U.S. benefits under a trade agreement; (2) an offsetting trade agreement has been reached; or (3) the burden on the U.S. economy of the denial of trade rights or of the unfair trade practices has increased. Includes foreign trade practices that threaten to burden or restrict U.S. commerce among the trade practices to which the USTR must respond. Defines "burden on U.S. commerce" to include: (1) foreign trade practices which have an adverse effect on trade between the United States and another foreign country; (2) the subsidization of exports that results in the displacement of U.S. exports to another foreign country; (3) the imposition of import restrictions or export performance requirements that result in the diversion of the exports of another foreign country to U.S. markets; and (4) the enforcement of trade restraining agreements that result in the diversion of the exports of another foreign country to U.S. markets. Requires foreign instrumentalities and territories to be treated as foreign countries. Authorizes the President, in reaction to unfair foreign trade practices, to: (1) enter into agreements that offset or eliminate any burden on U.S. commerce resulting from such practices; or (2) withdraw or refrain from proclaiming benefits under the Generalized System of Preferences for the country involved. Includes within the definition of unreasonable trade practices: (1) export targeting; or (2) a requirement that intellectual property be licensed to the foreign country concerned or to a firm in such country or that technical information be submitted to such country as a condition of importation into such country. Defines "export targeting" to include any government plan consisting of a combination of coordinated actions that are bestowed on a specific enterprise, industry, or group the effect of which is to assist the enterprise, industry, or group to become more competitive in exports. Sets forth actions included within the definition of export targeting. Adds to the definition of service sector access authorization reference to a foreign supplier of goods related to a service. Includes within the definition of "unjustifiable trade practices" trade practices: (1) which enable a state trading enterprise to compete in international trade or make purchases or sales in international trade without depending on commercial considerations; (2) through which a foreign country assists a state trading enterprise in such competition, purchases, or sales; or (3) which fail to afford U.S. firms adequate opportunity, in accordance with customary business practice, to compete for participation in purchases from, or sales to, state trading enterprises. Defines "denial of benefits" under a trade agreement to include foreign trade practices that: (1) nullify, impair, or impede attainment of the objectives of such agreement; (2) constitute an unfair trade concession requirement for any product or service within the purview of such agreement. Defines "unfair trade concessions requirement." Authorizes the President, in order to meet U.S. international obligations, to take actions to compensate foreign governments for actions taken with respect to unfair foreign trade practices. Subtitle B: Improvement in the Enforcement of Antidumping and Countervailing Duties - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to require the administering authority, if there is an affirmative finding that countervailing duties are warranted and the petition alleges that a subsidy is inconsistent with the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures or if a countervailing duty investigation is commenced and the administering authority has reason to believe that a subsidy is inconsistent with the Agreement, to: (1) notify the Customs Service of such determination and direct customs officers to collect information on imports of the type of merchandise that is the subject of the investigation; (2) order the suspension of liquidation of such imports that are entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, on or after the publication of the notice of such determination; and (3) begin monitoring the volume of such imports to determine whether there has been a surge of such imports since the countervailing duty investigation petition was filed or the investigation commenced. Prohibits a determination of the existence of a surge of imports until 60 days after the petition was filed or the investigation commenced. Terminates the suspension of liquidation if the preliminary determination of the administering authority is that no subsidy is being provided. Requires the administering authority to order the posting of security for unliquidated entries of affected imports if the administering authority makes a preliminary determination that an inconsistent subsidy exists and there has been a surge of such imports. Terminates any suspension of liquidation and requires the release of any security posted with respect to such imports if a countervailing duty investigation is terminated. Provides that the final determination of whether there is a subsidy which is inconsistent with the Agreement and whether there was a surge of imports may be affirmative even if the preliminary determination was negative. Deletes the requirement that the ITC also determine whether there is material injury that will be difficult to repair and whether the material injury resulted from the surge of imports. Terminates the suspension of liquidation of such imports and releases any security posted with respect to such imports if the final determination of the administering authority is that there is no inconsistent subsidy or surge of imports or the final determination of the ITC is that there is no material injury but that there is a threat of material injury or that the establishment of an industry in the United States is materially retarded. Deletes the provision that prohibits any determination as to the presence of critical circumstances with respect to non-duty-free imports. Requires the administering authority, if there is an affirmative finding of the need to impose an antidumping duty or if an antidumping duty investigation is initiated by the administering authority, to: (1) notify the Customs Service of such determination and direct customs officers to collect information on imports of the type of merchandise that is the subject of the investigation; and (2) begin monitoring the volume of such imports to determine whether there has been a surge of such imports since the antidumping petition was filed or the investigation commenced. Prohibits a determination of the existence of a surge of imports until 60 days after the petition was filed or the investigation commenced. Suspends the liquidation of duties on such imports starting 70 days after the antidumping petition is filed or the investigation is commenced. Terminates such suspension of duties if the preliminary determination is that the imports are being sold or are likely to be sold at less than fair market value (are being dumped). Requires the administering authority to order the posting of security for unliquidated entries of affected imports if the administering authority makes a preliminary determination that goods are being dumped. Terminates the suspension of liquidation and requires the release of any security posted with respect to such imports if an antidumping duty investigation is terminated. Provides that the final determination of dumping may be affirmative even if the preliminary determination was negative. Deletes the provision that required the final determination of the ITC to include a finding as to whether a retroactive duty should be imposed on dumped imports. Requires the administering authority, if it determines that merchandise is imported into the U.S. customs territory by, or for, a manufacturer, producer, seller, or exporter for the purpose of absorbing antidumping duties on behalf of a U.S. purchaser, to declare the importation a sham transaction and direct customs officers to treat the U.S. purchaser as the importer solely liable for such duties. Sets forth factors to consider in determining whether a transaction is a sham transaction. Prohibits the ITC from determining that there is no material injury or threat of material injury to U.S. producers of fungible products by reason of imports of such products solely on the basis of evidence that: (1) sales of such imports were not the first sales or offers at a reduced price in the relevant market; (2) similar price declines occurred in comparable markets; (3) U.S. producers also import such products; or (4) U.S. producers of the products are profitable. Requires the administering authority to investigate whether diversionary input dumping is occurring whenever: (1) the administering authority has reasonable grounds to suspect that such dumping is occurring; (2) a specified type of material or component is routinely used as a major material or component in manufacturing or producing the merchandise under investigation; and (3) generally accepted trade statistics indicate that, after the issuance of an antidumping duty order or the entry into force of an international agreement relating to the importation into the United States of such material or component, the quantity or market share of shipments to the United States of such material or component has decreased or the rate of increase of such shipments has decreased and shipments to the United States of the merchandise under investigation have increased. Sets forth the timetable for preliminary and final determinations by the administering authority as to the existence of diversionary input dumping. Provides that the foreign market value of merchandise that constitutes diversionary input dumping shall be the constructed value of the merchandise. Provides for increasing the cost of the material or component that is found to be involved in diversionary input dumping. Requires the administering authority, if the merchandise involved in a dumping investigation is exported from a nonmarket economy country and it is not possible to accurately determine the foreign market value of such merchandise from the information submitted by such country, to determine the foreign market value on the basis of the trade-weighted average price at which comparable merchandise is sold by a specified eligible market economy country. Provides for determining such foreign market value when there is no eligible market economy producer. Provides a special rule for imports of fungible products. Defines "nonmarket economy country" and "eligible market economy country." Authorizes the administering authority to suspend an antidumping investigation involving a nonmarket economy country if specified conditions are met. Requires the Commissioner of Customs and the ITC to provide the administering authority, upon request, with a copy of all public and proprietary information that they possess that is relevant to dumping proceedings involving merchandise from such countries. Authorizes a domestic producer of an article that is like a component part or a downstream product to petition the administering authority to designate a downstream product for monitoring by the ITC. Sets forth information to be included in the petition. Requires the administering authority to determine whether there is a reasonable likelihood that imports of the downstream product will increase as an indirect result of any diversion with respect to component parts. Sets forth factors the administering authority may take into account in making such determination. Requires the ITC to make quarterly reports to the administering authority regarding the ITC monitoring of a downstream product. Requires the administering authority to review the reports of the ITC and: (1) consider such information in determining whether to initiate an antidumping or countervailing duty investigation regarding a downstream product; and (2) request the ITC to cease its monitoring if the information indicates that imports are not increasing and there is no reasonable likelihood of diversion with respect to component parts. Title IV: Intellectual Property Rights - Subtitle A: Intellectual Property Remedies - Makes unlawful (and therefore subject to remedies for unfair trade practices) the importation or sale within the United States, if a related industry exists in the United States or is being established, of articles that: (1) infringe a U.S. patent or copyright or are produced by a process covered by a U.S. patent; or (2) infringe a trademark. Makes it unlawful to import a semiconductor chip product in a manner that constitutes infringement of a registered mask work. Sets forth the manner of determining whether a U.S. industry exists. Authorizes the ITC to terminate an investigation into unfair practices in the import trade by issuing a consent order or on the basis of a settlement agreement. Authorizes a complainant to petition the ITC to issue an order for the exclusion of certain articles during an investigation into unfair practices in the import trade. Sets forth the timetable for action by the ITC. Authorizes the ITC to grant preliminary relief with respect to violations involving intellectual property. Provides that the ITC may issue cease and desist orders in addition to or in lieu of exclusionary orders. Increases the penalty for violations of such orders. Requires the ITC to presume the facts alleged in the complaint are true and to issue, upon request, an exclusion from entry or a cease and desist order or both under certain circumstances. Authorizes the ITC to prescribe sanctions for abuse of discovery and abuse of process. Authorizes the ITC to order the forfeiture of an article imported in violation of the import trade unfair practices section if: (1) the importer had previously attempted to import the article; (2) the article was previously denied entry into the United States; and (3) upon such previous denial of entry the Secretary of the Treasury had provided the importer with a specified written notice. Provides that a person who has been previously found to be in violation of the provisions relating to unfair import practices may petition the ITC for a finding that such person is no longer in violation of such provisions or for a modification or rescission of an exclusion. Excludes intellectual property imported by or for the United States from certain exclusion orders. Provides for the protection of the confidentiality of information submitted to the ITC or exchanged among the parties in cases involving unfair import practices. Subtitle B: Access to Technology - Requires the USTR in conjunction with the National Science Foundation to: (1) monitor the transfer of technology between the United States and foreign countries; and (2) report annually to specified congressional committees on such transfers. Requires the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) to designate a Foreign Commercial Service Officer in a foreign country to monitor and report on the status of the intellectual property system in such country. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to furnish assistance for programs to aid less developed countries in developing and implementing adequate intellectual property laws and in developing their own indigenous technology. Requires the Secretary to identify the technical assistance needs of such countries. Requires the Secretary to establish the United States Intellectual Property Training Institute to train individuals of developing countries in both management and technical skills regarding the protection of intellectual property. Provides for financing the Institute. Title V: National Security - Amends the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to grant the Secretary of Commerce (the Secretary) the responsibility for investigating, upon request, the effects of imports on national security. Requires the Secretary to report to the President on such investigation within six months of receiving the request that starts the investigation. Requires the Secretary to notify the Secretary of Defense concerning any such investigation. Requires the Secretary of Defense to conduct a separate defense needs assessment of the article affected by such imports. Requires the Secretary of Defense to report to the Secretary on such assessment within three months. Requires the Secretary's report to the President on such investigation to include a statement by the Secretary of Defense concurring or disagreeing with the Secretary's findings and explaining such concurrence or disagreement. Requires any portion of such report to be published if it is not: (1) classified as being clearly detrimental to the national security; and (2) proprietary information. Requires the President to : (1) decide whether or not to take action based on such report within 90 days of receiving it; and (2) explain the decision. Title VI: Formulation of United States Trade Policy - Requires the head of each Federal agency, before taking any major action that may affect international trade, to study, and publish a report on, the potential impact such action will have on U.S. international trade and on the international competitiveness of U.S. firms. Exempts emergency actions and certain other actions from such reporting requirement. Requires the head of each Federal agency to include such report with any proposed legislation made to the Congress. Amends the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to establish in the Executive Office of the President the National Trade Council, which shall: (1) advise the President on the coordination of national and international policies relating to trade; (2) assess U.S. international trade policies and objectives; (3) consider policies on matters of common interest to Federal agencies concerned with international trade; (4) consider the relationship between the U.S. standard of living and U.S. trade policies; and (5) evaluate the effects of U.S. trade policies and objectives on the national security. Provides for consultations between members of the Council and representatives of the private sector. Requires the Council to report to the President as appropriate or upon request of the President. Terminates the Trade Policy Committee. Establishes the National Trade Data Committee to: (1) establish and maintain a National Trade Data Bank; (2) analyze information in the National Trade Data Bank; (3) disseminate such information to export businesses in a timely manner; and (4) coordinate the gathering and dissemination of commercial information relating to international trade by the Federal Government. Sets forth information to be included in the National Trade Data Bank. Requires each Federal agency to cooperate in providing information for assimilation into the National Trade Data Bank. Requires the Committee to report annually to the Congress: (1) assessing the current quality, comprehensiveness, and accessibility of trade data; (2) describing actions that have been taken and that are planned to be taken pursuant to this Act; (3) recommending actions which would ensure that U.S. citizens and firms obtain access to foreign data banks that is similar to the access provided foreign citizens and firms to the National Trade Data Bank; and (4) recommending other legislative actions. Exempts from the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 certain actions taken to carry out this Act. Title VII: Agriculture - Declares that it is U.S. policy to increase agricultural exports, to recapture the U.S. market share in agricultural trade, and to support programs to make U.S. exports more competitive abroad. Sets forth other policy objectives relating to agriculture. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to make available certain commodities to cooperator organizations which shall use the commodities to establish demonstration projects designed to expand markets for U.S. agricultural commodities and products. Requires that there be at least 850 full-time employees during each of FY 1987, 1988, and 1989 in the Foreign Agricultural Service of the Department of Agriculture. Expresses the sense of the Congress that such a number of employees should make it possible for the Service to devote greater resources to developing markets for U.S. agricultural commodities and products. Requires an agricultural attache who is reassigned from abroad to counsel agricultural producers on means of increasing exports and agricultural market development and promotional activities. Requires at least 60 percent of the personnel resource time of agricultural attaches who are stationed abroad to be devoted to market development and promotional activities for U.S. agricultural commodities. Authorizes the Secretary to contract with an individual for services to be performed outside the United States as necessary in order to carry out market development activities for U.S. agricultural commodites. Establishes within the Service an Office of International Market Development and Export Promotion to coordinate all market development, promotional, export enhancement, export credit, and targeted export assistance programs. Requires the Office to report annually to specified congressional committees on the market development programs. Establishes within the Office a unit to monitor the quality of agricultural exports. Requires the unit to: (1) act as liaison with the Federal Grain Inspection Service, private U.S. exporters, foreign governments, and U.S. agricultural attaches overseas; (2) receive and respond to complaints about the quality of U.S. agricultural exports; and (3) identify problems in foreign markets concerning the quality of U.S. commodities and ensure that notice of such problems is provided to the relevant entities for quick response and follow-up. Establishes within the Office a unit to evaluate the overall effectiveness of the market development and promotional programs of the Service. Requires the unit to report annually to specified congressional committees on such programs. Earmarks at least 50 percent of the FY 1987 increase in funding of the Service to be used to create new markets for U.S. agricultural commodities in developing markets. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 for trade shows and exhibitions conducted by the Service. Sets forth the ways the increase in funding for trade shows shall be used. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 for program management and support activities of the Service and for its market promotion and trade development activities. Requires some of the increased funding to be used to provide adequate staff for: (1) the development of markets for high value-added products; and (2) the improvement of the quality of agricultural exports. Establishes within the Department of Agriculture an Export Market Development Advisory Committee to: (1) review all U.S. agricultural market development and export enhancement programs; and (2) make recommendations for the improvement of such programs.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1987
Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to add to the definition of unfair trade acts, policies, or practices: (1) toleration of cartels; and (2) denial of internationally recognized worker rights. Declares that it is a U.S. negotiating objective to enhance the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) through: (1) the adoption of an additional GATT article declaring that the denial of internationally recognized worker rights is an unjustifiable means for a country or any of its industries to gain competitive advantage in international trade; (2) the amendment of the GATT to affirm such principle; or (3) the adoption and implementation of a code of internationally recognized worker rights.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1987
Amends the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 and the Federal patent law to provide that any invention made, used, or sold in outer space on an aeronautical and space vehicle under the jurisdiction or control of the United States shall be considered made, used, or sold within the United States. Applies this provision to all patents granted before, on, or after the date of enactment of this Act, with certain exceptions.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1987
Land Remote-Sensing Commercialization Act Amendments of 1987 - Amends the Land Remote-Sensing Commercialization Act of 1984 (the Act) to exempt contractors from a requirement to fully reimburse the Federal Government under certain circumstances in the case of research and development agreements. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce, following the completion of a contract under provisions for data continuity after the Landsat system, and upon 30 days' advance notice to specified congressional committees, to dispose of any Government assets (other than real property) so as to ensure continuation of the contractor's commercial activity. Revises provisions concerning the use of experimental data from Federal research and development programs. Adds provisions relating to the use of non-Federal data from the research and development activities of system operators or marketing entities. Authorizes system operators to require that unenhanced data not be reproduced or disseminated by a foreign or domestic purchaser.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1987
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide an income tax exclusion for foster care payments provided by an agency of the Federal Government. (Present law excludes only such payments made by State or private placement agencies.) Specifies that such treatment shall be applied as if included in the Tax Reform Act of 1986. Amends the Tax Reform Act of 1986 to make retroactive to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1978, certain amendments made concerning the tax treatment of foster care payments.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1987
Amends the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 to reestablish the National Aeronautics and Space Council as the National Space Council. Revises Council membership provisions. Provides that, in the absence of the Vice President, the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall preside over Council meetings. Directs the Council to advise the President with respect to the following functions: (1) survey of ongoing civilian space activities; (2) review of long-range goals for civilian space activities; (3) coordination of civilian space activities among civilian agencies and with agencies involved in national security space activities; and (4) interagency cooperation in civilian space activities. Directs the Council to establish a Users' Advisory Group composed of nine non-Federal representatives of industries and other persons involved in space activities. Directs the Vice President to name a Chairman of the Users' Advisory Group. Requires the Council to meet at least once a year with the Users' Advisory Group, whose function it is to ensure that the interests of non-Federal entities involved in space activities, including in particular commercial entities, are adequately represented in the Council.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1987
Amends the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 to authorize the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to accept gifts or donations for the construction of a space shuttle orbiter. Terminates such authority five years after enactment of this Act. Provides that all such gifts and donations which are not needed for such construction shall be used in tribute to the crew of the space shuttle Challenger and in furtherance of the exploration of space. Provides that the Administrator shall select the name of such space shuttle orbiter from suggestions by elementary and secondary school students.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1987
Trade Deficit Reduction and Market Access Act of 1987 - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to create special provisions regarding trade deficits. Requires the International Trade Commission (ITC) to: (1) determine whether each major exporting country is an excessive trade surplus country for 1985 and for 1987 through 1990; and (2) determine if the percentage obtained by dividing the U.S. balance of trade deficit by the U.S. gross national product is less than one and one-half percent. Requires the ITC to report such determinations to the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR). Requires the USTR, within 15 days of receipt of such report, to determine whether each major exporting country identified as an excessive trade surplus country maintained a pattern of unjustifiable, unreasonable, or discriminatory trade policies or practices that have a significant adverse effect on U.S. commerce and contribute to the excessive trade surplus of that country. Sets forth factors to be considered in making such determination. Provides that the USTR need not make such determinations with respect to countries with a percentage of less than one and one-half percent. Defines "excessive trade surplus country" as a major exporting country which has: (1) a bilateral export percentage (the value of nonpetroleum exports to, divided by the value of nonpetroleum imports from, the United States) of more than 175 percent; and (2) a bilateral trade surplus (an excess of the value of nonpetroleum exports to, divided by nonpetroleum imports from, the United States) that exceeds the bilateral trade surplus for such country for the year. Sets forth surplus reduction goals for major exporting countries designated as excessive and unwarranted trade surplus countries. Requires the USTR to try to negotiate a bilateral trade agreement to achieve such surplus reduction goals with each foreign country that is designated as an excessive and unwarranted trade surplus country. Requires the President, if the USTR's negotiations do not achieve such surplus reduction goals within a specified time, to: (1) suspend, withdraw, or prevent the application of benefits of trade agreement concessions with respect to such country; (2) impose other duties or other import restrictions on such country's products; (3) negotiate agreements with such country; and/or (4) implement other governmental action which would restore or improve the competitive position of U.S. industries with respect to that country. Requires the President to impose such quotas on imports from such country as are necessary to meet the reduction for the next year if the action taken under (1) through (4) does not achieve the surplus reduction objective for that year. Authorizes the President, subject to congressional approval, to: (1) reduce the surplus reduction goal for any excessive and unwarranted trade surplus country if the President considers that such country cannot meet the goal without suffering significant economic harm and develops an alternative plan for achieving such goal; or (2) waive the taking of other action with respect to an excessive and unwarranted trade surplus country if the President considers that such action would cause substantial harm to the national economic interest and develops an alternative plan for achieving the surplus reduction goal.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1987
Declares that the Congress: (1) supports the efforts of democratic forces in South Korea to establish fair and free democratic elections and to evolve to a full democratic government; (2) urges the Government of South Korea and its leaders to demonstrate their commitment to democracy through dialogue and negotiations on both sides; (3) encourages the President and the U.S. Ambassador to South Korea to support diplomatic exchanges with all Koreans interested in a democratic system; (4) recognizes President Chun Du Hwan's intention to address the death of student Park Chong-Chol and reaffirms its condemnation of restricting the rights of people to participate in political activities; and (5) recommends that the United States consider ways to assist South Korea toward democracy.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1987
Amends the Tax Reform Act of 1986 to repeal provisions which eliminated the allowance of income averaging for farmers. Specifies that the Internal Revenue Code shall be applied and administered as if such provisions had not been enacted. Specifies that income averaging shall be allowed only for farmers who: (1) are actively engaged in the trade or business of farming; and (2) have 50 percent or more of their annual gross income for the three preceding taxable years attributable to such trade or business. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an investment tax credit for qualified farm property. Defines "qualified farm property" as any property which is used in the trade or business of farming. Provides special rules for qualified farm property to allow such property (at the election of the taxpayer) to be depreciated according to the accelerated cost recovery system in effect prior to the enactment of the Tax Reform Act of 1986. Reduces to 20 percent the maximum rate of tax on net capital gains realized from the sale of timber by individuals. Reduces to 28 percent the maximum rate of tax on net capital gains realized from the sale of timber by corporations.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1987
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President, through the Secretary of State, should: (1) continue to express U.S. opposition to the internal exile of Igor Ogurtsov; and (2) urge the Soviet Union to release him before February 9, 1987, accept his application for an exit visa, and allow him to emigrate without forcing him to renounce his views. Requests that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the Soviet Ambassador to the United States and to the General Secretary, Mikhail Gorbachev.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1987
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Social Security Administration should not take actions which impair the ability of the staff of the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program to make eligibility determinations in accordance with the Social Security Disability Benefits Reform Act of 1984. Urges the Social Security Administration to place a higher priority on assisting States in both complying with the 1984 reforms and improving the accuracy of SSDI eligibility determinations.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1987
Gives special recognition to the achievements of wilderness ecologist Aldo Leopold. Urges Federal land management agencies to model their activities after the conservation ethic he inspired.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1987
SALT II Sublimit Mutual Restraint Act of 1987 - Prohibits, within 60 days after enactment of this Act, the obligation or expenditure of funds through December 31, 1987, which would cause the United States to exceed the numerical sublimits on strategic launchers and platforms contained in the SALT II Treaty. Requires the President, within 30 days after enactment of this Act, to notify the Congress of his plans for carrying out this provision. Directs the President, by October 15, 1987, to report to the Congress concerning dismantling actions taken by the United States and the Soviet Union to comply with the SALT II numerical sublimits. Reaffirms the sense of the Congress that it is in U.S. national security interests to comply with the numerical sublimits of the SALT II Treaty as long as the Soviet Union does likewise. Encourages the President to pursue restraints on offensive nuclear forces with the Soviet Union until a new comprehensive nuclear arms agreement is concluded. Waives all such numerical compliance if the President notifies the Congress, with an accompanying report, that the Soviet Union has exceeded the numerical sublimits.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1987
Medicaid Infant Mortality Amendments of 1987 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to allow States to extend Medicaid coverage to pregnant women and infants under age one whose family income exceeds current income eligibility standards, but does not exceed 185 percent of the Federal poverty level. Authorizes States to accelerate the coverage of poor children under age five. (Currently, coverage would not be extended to all poor children under age five until FY 1991.) Allows States to extend Medicaid coverage to poor children under age eight.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1987
Arms Export Reform Act of 1987 - Requires the President to submit to the Congress a certification in the case of any letter of offer under the Arms Export Control Act, any application for an export license, and any lease or loan agreement relating to certain military equipment regardless of the dollar amount involved in such sale, export, lease, or loan, specifically: (1) turbine-powered military aircraft, rockets, missiles, anti-aircraft artillery, and associated control target acquisition and electronic warfare equipment and software; (2) helicopters designed or equipped for combat operations; (3) main battle tanks and nuclear-capable artillery; and (4) submarines, aircraft carriers, battleships, cruisers, frigates, destroyers, and auxiliary warships. Sets forth the information to be contained in the President's certification to the Congress. Prohibits the issuance of any such letter of offer and export license and the making of any such lease or loan to: (1) the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, any member country of such Organization, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, or any country which is a party to the Camp David Accords, or an agreement based on such Accords, if the Congress enacts a joint resolution of disapproval within 15 days of receiving the certification; and (2) any other country or international organization unless the Congress enacts a joint resolution or other provision of law authorizing such sale, export, lease, or loan. Declares that the congressional actions described in the previous sentence shall not be required if the President states in the certification that an emergency exists which requires the proposed sale, export, lease, or loan. Provides for expedited consideration of such joint resolutions.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1987
Provides for a waiver of estimated tax penalties on employees due to an employer's failure to withhold tax in cases where an employer fails to withhold tax on the basis of valid withholding certificates. Limits such waiver to taxable years 1987 and 1988. Amends the Tax Reform Act of 1986 to delay for two years from December 31, 1986, until December 31, 1988, the increase from 80 percent to 90 percent in the current year liability test for estimated tax payments.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1987
Amends the Federal Tort Claims Act to allow members of the armed forces to bring claims for damages against the United States for personal injury or death arising out of medical or dental care furnished by a Department of Defense hospital or medical facility.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1987
Amends the Tax Reform Act of 1986 to extend for one year (from April 16, 1987, to April 16, 1988) the waiver of estimated tax penalties for underpayments by individuals attributable to such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1987
Authorizes the President to call a White House Conference on Library and Information Services, to be held not later than 1989, to develop recommendations for improvement of such services and their public use. Requires that the Conference be planned and conducted by the National Commission on Libraries and Information Sciences. Authorizes the Librarian of Congress, the Director of the National Library of Medicine, and the Director of the National Agricultural Library, upon request, to detail personnel to the Commission. Requires the Conference to submit a final report to the President within 120 days following its close. Directs that the final report be made public, and within 90 days after receipt by the President transmitted to the Congress with recommendations. Establishes an advisory committee to assist in planning and conducting the Conference. Includes among its appointed members the Secretary of Education and the Librarian of Congress. Authorizes appropriations as necessary.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1987
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Government of South Africa should take necessary steps to secure the release of Reverend Tshenuwani Simon Farisani from detention in Venda, a homeland in South Africa.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 1987
Prompt Payment Act Amendments of 1987 - Revises Federal law to deem the head of a Federal agency to have received an invoice on the later of: (1) the date on which the designated office or employee of an agency actually receives it; or (2) the fifth day after the date on which a property is actually delivered, or final performance of a service is actually completed, unless the contract specifies otherwise. Makes Federal prompt payment provisions applicable to the United States Postal Service. Makes the Postmaster General responsible for issuing procurement regulations, solicitation provisions, and contract clauses. Reduces the 15-day grace period for payment of interest penalties to eight days for solicitations (other than meat products and agricultural commodities) issued before October 1, 1990. Eliminates such grace period for procurement solicitations issued on or after October 1, 1990. Requires an agency to pay a double interest penalty if: (1) the agency owes the interest penalty; (2) the interest penalty is not paid to the business concern on or after the date the penalty is due; (3) the agency does not pay the penalty within ten days after such payment is made; and (4) a written demand is made within 40 days after such payment is made. Requires regulations on interest penalties, in the case of construction contracts, to provide for the payment of interest on: (1) progress payments due for more than seven days, or a longer period if the prevailing practice in private construction contracts is to provide such longer period; and (2) amounts retained during the performance of a contract, if such amounts are not paid by the required payment date. Requires regulations on interest penalties to provide for periodic payments in the case of supply or service contracts upon: (1) the submission of an invoice for supplies delivered or services performed; and (2) acceptance of supplies or services by an authorized employee or certification of performance by such an employee. Requires Government construction contractors to include a payment provision in their agreements with their subcontractors which provides for payment in accordance with prevailing industry standards. Requires the contractor to pay a late payment interest penalty to the subcontractor at the rate applicable between the prime contractor and the Government. Declares that a prime contractor's obligation to pay an interest penalty to a subcontractor may not be construed to be an obligation of the United States. Specifies the calculation of time for interest penalties on discount payments. Revises agency reporting requirements on interest penalty payments to include a description of agency payment practices. Requires the modification of the Federal acquisition regulation to implement Federal prompt payment provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 1987
Title I: General Accounting Office Investigation and Report - Requires the Comptroller General to begin an investigation, within 60 days after enactment of this Act, concerning displaced nationals of El Salvador. Requires a report to the Congress within one year after initiation of such study. Title II: Congressional Review - Provides for the referral of such report to the appropriate congressional committees for committee hearings and committee reports. Title III: Temporary Stay of Deportation - Provides for a temporary stay of detention and deportation for certain nationals of El Salvador.