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Official portrait of Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID]

Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID]

United States · Official source

Records

3,094 records where Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years

Resolution· SCONRESS.Con.Res. 14 (111th)referred

A concurrent resolution supporting the Local Radio Freedom Act.

United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2009

Declares that Congress should not impose any new performance fee, tax, royalty, or other charge relating to the public performance of sound recordings on a local radio station for broadcasting sound recordings over-the-air, or on any business for such public performance of sound recordings.

Bill· SS. 731 (111th)referred

A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for continuity of TRICARE Standard coverage for certain members of the Retired Reserve.

United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2009

Makes a member of the Retired Reserve who is qualified for a non-regular (reserve) retirement at age 60, but is not yet 60, eligible for health benefits under TRICARE Standard (a Department of Defense [DOD] managed health care program for members of the reserves). Terminates such eligibility when the member becomes eligible for TRICARE Standard at age 60. Includes immediate family members under such coverage. Requires members to pay a premium for such coverage.

Bill· SS. 694 (111th)referred

Best Buddies Empowerment for People with Intellectual Disabilities Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2009

Best Buddies Empowerment for People with Intellectual Disabilities Act of 2009 - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award grants to, or enter into agreements with, Best Buddies (a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people with intellectual disabilities mesh with mainstream society) to promote the expansion of its programs.

Bill· SS. 669 (111th)open

Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2009

Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act - Prohibits, in any case arising out of the administration of laws and benefits by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, considering any person who is mentally incapacitated, deemed mentally incompetent, or experiencing an extended loss of consciousness from being considered adjudicated as a mental defective for purposes of the right to receive or transport firearms without the order or finding of a judge, magistrate, or other judicial authority of competent jurisdiction that such person is a danger to himself or herself or others.

Bill· SS. 645 (111th)referred

A bill to amend title 32, United States Code, to modify the Department of Defense share of expenses under the National Guard Youth Challenge Program.

United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2009

Amends the National Guard Youth Challenge Program (a training program to improve life skills and employment potential of civilian youth participants) to increase the Department of Defense (DOD) share of expenses to: (1) 100% of operating costs, in the first two years of a state program of the Program; and (2) 75% of operating costs, in the case of any other state program of the Program.

Bill· SS. 654 (111th)referred

Equity and Access for Podiatric Physicians Under Medicaid Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2009

Equity and Access for Podiatric Physicians Under Medicaid Act - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to include podiatrists as physicians in order to cover their services under the Medicaid program.

Bill· SS. 653 (111th)referred

Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coin Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2009

Star-Spangled Banner Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue $5 gold coins and $1 silver coins in commemoration of the bicentennial of the writing of the Star-Spangled Banner . Requires a coin design emblematic of the War of 1812, and in particular of, the Battle for Baltimore that formed the basis for the Star-Spangled Banner. Limits the period for coin issuance to calendar year 2012. Imposes a surcharge of $35 per coin for the $5 coins and $10 per coin for the $1 coins, which shall be distributed to the Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission for the purpose of supporting bicentennial activities, educational outreach activities, and preservation and improvement activities pertaining to the sites and structures relating to the War of 1812.

Resolution· SCONRESS.Con.Res. 11 (111th)referred

A concurrent resolution condemning all forms of anti-Semitism and reaffirming the support of Congress for the mandate of the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2009

Condemns all forms of anti-Semitism and rejects attempts to rationalize anti-Jewish hatred or attacks as a justifiable expression of disaffection over political events in the Middle East or elsewhere. Decries the comparison of Jews to Nazis perpetrating a Holocaust or genocide as a pernicious form of anti-Semitism. Calls on leaders to speak out against manifestations of anti-Semitism that have entered the Middle East debate. Reaffirms support for the mandate of the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism. Urges the Secretary of State to maintain the fight against anti-Semitism as a U.S. foreign policy priority.

Bill· SS. 632 (111th)referred

Firearms Fairness and Affordability Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2009

Firearms Fairness and Affordability Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require excise taxes on recreational equipment to be due and payable on the date for filing the return for such taxes.

Bill· SS. 607 (111th)open

Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 17 March 2009

Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act of 2009 - Amends the National Forest Ski Area Permit Act of 1986 to require the term and acreage of permits for the operation of ski areas and associated facilities (under current law, for the operation of nordic and alpine ski areas and facilities) on National Forest System lands to be governed by provisions under the Act relating to such permits and other applicable law. Provides for the issuance of permits for the use and occupancy of suitable lands within the National Forest System for skiing and other snow-sports and such other seasonal or year-round recreational activities associated with mountain resorts as the Secretary of Agriculture may authorize pursuant to this Act. Allows the Secretary to authorize the holder of a permit issued pursuant to the Act to also provide on National Forest System land subject to such permit such other seasonal or year-round natural-resource based, outdoor-developed recreational activities and associated facilities, in addition to skiing and other snow-sports, as determined appropriate. Prohibits the Secretary from authorizing any activity or facility under this Act if its authorization would result in the primary recreational purpose of a National Forest System land with a ski area permit being a purpose other than skiing or any other snow-sport.

Law· SS. 614 (111th)enacted

A bill to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the Women Airforce Service Pilots ("WASP").

United States · United States Congress · 17 March 2009

Directs the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to make appropriate arrangements for the award of a single gold medal in honor of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) collectively, in honor of their pioneering military service and exemplary record, which forged revolutionary reform in the U.S. Armed Forces. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Smithsonian Institution shall make the medal available for display elsewhere, particularly at other locations associated with the WASP.

Bill· SS. 604 (111th)referred

Federal Reserve Sunshine Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2009

Federal Reserve Sunshine Act of 2009 - Repeals the authority of the Comptroller General to carry out an onsite examination of an open insured bank or bank holding company only if the appropriate federal regulatory agency has consented in writing. (Retains the authority of the Comptroller General to audit a federal agency.) Directs the Comptroller General to complete, before the end of 2010, an audit of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and of the federal reserve banks, followed by a detailed report to Congress.

Bill· SS. 570 (111th)open

No Cost Stimulus Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2009

No Cost Stimulus Act of 2009 - Deems the Draft Proposed Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program 2010-2015 issued by the Secretary of the Interior approved as a final oil and gas leasing program under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA). Deems the Secretary to have issued a final environmental impact statement for the program under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). Directs the Secretary to conduct a lease sale in each outer Continental Shelf (OCS) planning area for which there is a commercial interest in purchasing federal oil and gas production leases. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct commercial lease sales of federally-owned resources to: (1) produce renewable energy; or (2) cultivate marine organisms in their natural habitat. Amends OCSLA to direct the Secretary to develop: (1) a plan to address streamlining the process of making payments to states; and (2) a procedure to provide expedited funding to projects. Amends the Submerged Lands Act to extend from three geographical miles to 12 nautical miles a coastal state's allowable seaward boundary. Authorizes the leasing of land within the 1002 Coastal Plain Area of Alaska to any person qualified to obtain a lease for deposits of oil and gas under the Mineral Leasing Act. Prescribes procedures for lease sales and grants of leases. Directs the Secretary to administer the leasing program, with respect to Coastal Plain environmental protection, according to the No Significant Adverse Effect Standard. Establishes the Coastal Plain Local Government Impact Aid Assistance Fund to finance local government impact aid and community service assistance. Establishes an Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) Alternative Energy Trust Fund. Amends the Oil Shale, Tar Sands, and Other Strategic Unconventional Fuels Act of 2005 to require the Secretary to conduct related lease sales in any state during any period for which there is sufficient support and interest in the state in the development of tar sands and oil shale resources. Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to repeal the requirement of 30 days' public notice before a hearing on each application for a construction permit for a new new nuclear power plant. Grants the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia exclusive jurisdiction to hear all causes and claims arising from any covered project of federal land leasing for exploitation of oil, natural gas, or any other source or form of energy. Amends NEPA to require completion and review of environmental impact statements within 270 days after their commencement or the action concerned shall be considered a final agency action with no significant environmental impact. Amends the Clean Air Act to declare that carbon dioxide, methane from agriculture or livestock, or water vapor are not air pollutants. Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) to require the Secretary concerned, upon the declaration of an emergency by a state governor, for the duration of the emergency, to exempt from the prohibition against taking, and against adverse modification of critical habitat, any action reasonably necessary to avoid or ameliorate the impact of the emergency, including the operation of any water supply or flood control project by a federal agency. Prohibits consideration of the impact of greenhouse gas on any species of fish or wildlife or plant for any purpose in the implementation of the ESA.

Bill· SS. 535 (111th)referred

A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to repeal requirement for reduction of survivor annuities under the Survivor Benefit Plan by veterans' dependency and indemnity compensation, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2009

Repeals certain provisions which require the offset of amounts paid in dependency and indemnity compensation from Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuities for the surviving spouses of former military personnel who are entitled to military retired pay or would be entitled to such pay except for being under 60 years of age. Prohibits recoupment by the Secretary of Defense of certain amounts previously paid to SBP recipients in the form of a retired pay refund. Repeals the optional authority of (and instead requires) the Secretary of the military department concerned to pay an annuity to a member's dependent children when there is no eligible surviving spouse. Directs the Secretary concerned to restore annuity eligibility to a surviving spouse who earlier agreed to transfer such eligibility to a surviving child or children of a member.

Bill· SS. 524 (111th)referred

Congressional Accountability and Line-Item Veto Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2009

Congressional Accountability and Line-Item Veto Act of 2009 - Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to authorize the President to propose the repeal of any congressional earmark or the cancellation (line item veto) of any limited tariff benefit or targeted tax benefit. Sets forth requirements for the President's transmittal to Congress of a special message regarding a proposed repeal or cancellation. Dedicates any repeal or cancellation only to deficit reduction or increase of a surplus. Provides for adjustment of: (1) committee allocations resulting from such rescission; and (2) applicable limits, as appropriate, under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act). Sets forth procedures for expedited congressional consideration of a proposed rescission. Expresses the sense of Congress that no President or any executive branch official should condition the inclusion or exclusion, or threaten to condition the inclusion or exclusion, of any proposed repeal or cancellation in any special message under this Act upon any vote cast or to be cast by any Member of either chamber.

Bill· SS. 515 (111th)open

Patent Reform Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2009

Patent Reform Act of 2009 - Amends federal patent law to rewrite provisions concerning the conditions for patentability. Defines "effective filing date of a claimed invention" as the filing date of the patent or the application for patent containing the claim to the invention (thus establishing a first-to-file system). Declares that, to the extent consistent with U.S. obligations under international agreements, patent examination and search duties are sovereign functions. Requires that those functions be performed within the United States by U.S. citizens who are federal employees. Revises various other rights and requirements related to patents, including regarding: (1) damages; (2) post-grant procedures; (3) citation of prior art; (4) inter partes reexaminations; (5) preissuance submissions by third parties; (6) venue and jurisdiction; and (7) the regulatory authority of the Patent and Trademark Office. Replaces the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences with the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. Revises provisions concerning the residency of federal circuit judges and the facilities and administrative support which must be provided to them.

Bill· SS. 503 (111th)referred

No Surface Occupancy Western Arctic Coastal Plain Domestic Energy Security Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2009

No Surface Occupancy Western Arctic Coastal Plain Domestic Energy Security Act - Authorizes exploration, leasing, development, and production of oil and gas from the Western Coastal Plain. Defines the Western Coastal Plain as the area of Coastal Plain: (1) that borders the land of Alaska to the west and Alaska offshore waters of the Beaufort Sea on the north; and (2) from which the Secretary of the Interior finds oil and gas can be produced through horizontal drilling or other subsurface technology from sites outside or underneath the Coastal Plain surface. Authorizes the Secretary to establish a competitive oil and gas leasing program that will result in an environmentally sound program for the exploration, development, and production of the oil and gas resources of the Western Coastal Plain. Considers such program to be compatible with the purposes for which the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge was established. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish lease sale procedures; and (2) offer for lease those tracts the Secretary considers to have the greatest potential for the discovery of hydrocarbons. Authorizes the Secretary to grant a lease for land on the Western Coastal Plain to the highest responsible qualified bidder. Prescribes lease terms and conditions. Provides for expedited judicial review. Directs the Secretary to establish in the Treasury the Coastal Plain Local Government Impact Aid Assistance Fund to offset any planning, land use-related, or service-related impacts of offshore development caused by this Act. Prescribes a scheme for the allocation of revenues produced by bonus, rental, and royalty revenues from the federal oil and gas leasing and operations authorized under this Act, requiring 50% to be paid semiannually to the state of Alaska, and the remainder to designated federal entities.

Bill· SS. 491 (111th)referred

Federal and Military Retiree Health Care Equity Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2009

Federal and Military Retiree Health Care Equity Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit: (1) federal civilian and military retirees to pay Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) and TRICARE supplemental premiums on a pretax basis (i.e., exclude premiums from gross income); and (2) a tax deduction (available to itemizers and nonitemizers) for TRICARE supplemental premiums or enrollment fees. Directs the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the Secretary of Defense to ensure that the option of paying FEHBP and TRICARE supplemental premiums on a pretax basis is available to federal civilian and military retirees for the first open enrollment period beginning not less than 90 days after the enactment of this Act.

Bill· SS. 493 (111th)referred

ABLE Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2009

Achieving a Better Life Experience Act of 2009 or the ABLE Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish tax-exempt ABLE accounts for individuals with a disability to pay certain expenses of such individuals, including expenses for education, housing, transportation, employment support, medical care, and certain life necessities. Defines "individual with a disability" as an individual who is eligible to receive certain supplemental security income benefits under the Social Security Act. Allows individual taxpayers a tax deduction, up to $2,000 per year, for contributions to an ABLE account. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to study and report to Congress on the use of ABLE accounts and the effect of the tax deduction for contributions to such accounts. Requires ABLE accounts to be disregarded in determining eligibility for Medicaid benefits and for purposes of determining eligibility for other means-tested federal programs.

Law· SS. 475 (111th)enacted

Military Spouses Residency Relief Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2009

Military Spouses Residency Relief Act - Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to prohibit, for purposes of voting for a federal, state, or local office, deeming a person to have lost a residence or domicile in a state, acquired a residence or domicile in any other state, or become a resident in or of any other state solely because the person is absent from a state because the person is accompanying the person's spouse who is absent from the state in compliance with military or naval orders. Prohibits a servicemember's spouse from either losing or acquiring a residence or domicile for purposes of taxation because of being absent or present in any U.S. tax jurisdiction solely to be with the servicemember in compliance with the servicemember's military orders if the residence or domicile is the same for the servicemember and the spouse. Prohibits a spouse's income from being considered income earned in a tax jurisdiction if the spouse is not a resident or domiciliary of such jurisdiction when the spouse is in that jurisdiction solely to be with a servicemember serving under military orders. Suspends land rights residency requirements for spouses accompanying servicemembers serving under military orders.

Bill· SS. 470 (111th)referred

Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2009

Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2009- Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) expand the definitions of the crimes of transporting and selling or receiving stolen goods to include thefts having an aggregate value of $5,000 or more during any 12-month period; (2) modify the crime of fraud involving access devices to include the Universal Product Code label or similar product code label as an access device; and (3) set forth provisions to prevent sales of illegally obtained goods in a physical (e.g., flea market, open air market) or online retail marketplace and to grant enforcement powers to states to obtain injunctive and other relief against persons engaged in organized retail crime. Requires the Attorney General to establish a suspected illegal sales activity form and a suspicious activity report form for the reporting of suspected sales of illegally-obtained items in a physical or online retail marketplace. Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review and, if appropriate, amend federal sentencing guidelines for persons convicted of offenses involving organized retail crime.

Bill· SS. 455 (111th)referred

Five-Star Generals Commemorative Coin Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 February 2009

Five-Star Generals Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury ( Secretary) to mint and issue $5 gold coins, $1 Silver Coins, and half dollar clad coins in recognition and celebration of the Five-Star Generals' attendance and graduation from the Command and General Staff College (CGSC). Requires the design of such coins to include the portraits of Generals George C. Marshall, Douglas MacArthur, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Henry "Hap" Arnold, and Omar N. Bradley. Restricts the issuance of such coins to calendar 2013. Requires specified surcharges in the sale of such coins, which shall be paid promptly to the CGSC Foundation to help finance its support of the College.

Bill· SS. 451 (111th)referred

Girl Scouts USA Centennial Commemorative Coin Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 February 2009

Girl Scouts USA Centennial Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue up to 350,000 $1 coins in commemoration of the centennial of the founding of the Girl Scouts of the USA. Requires the coin design to be emblematic of the 100 years of the organization. Restricts issuance of such coins to calendar year 2011. Subjects coin sales to a surcharge of $10 per coin. Requires payment of such surcharges to the Girl Scouts of the United States of America for Girl Scout program development and delivery.

Bill· SS. 452 (111th)referred

Backcountry Landing Strip Access Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 February 2009

Backcountry Landing Strip Access Act - Prohibits the Secretaries of the Interior or Agriculture from taking any action that would permanently close, restrict, or render or declare unserviceable any aircraft landing strip located on land under their jurisdiction unless: (1) the action has been approved by the head of the aviation department of the state in which the landing strip is located; (2) the Secretary publishes notice of the proposed action and provides for a 90-day public comment thereafter; and (3) the Secretary and appropriate state aviation department head have taken into consideration any comments received. Requires the Secretaries to: (1) establish a nationwide policy for governing backcountry aviation issues relating to the management of federal land under the jurisdiction of the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture; and (2) require officials with jurisdiction over such land to adhere to such policy. Requires private and publicly-owned aircraft land strips acquired by the government to be made available to the public for unrestricted use.

Bill· SS. 427 (111th)referred

A bill to amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to clarify that the value of certain funeral and burial arrangements are not to be considered available resources under the supplemental security income program.

United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2009

Amends title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) of the Social Security Act to provide that the value of certain funeral and burial arrangements involving an irrevocable trust whose named beneficiary is the funeral provider are not to be considered, under the SSI program, as resources available to the individual.

Bill· SS. 371 (111th)referred

Respecting States Rights and Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 3 February 2009

Respecting States Rights and Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2009 - Amends the federal criminal code to provide for reciprocity for the carrying of certain concealed firearms in different states by persons who are not prohibited by federal law from possessing, transporting, shipping, or receiving a firearm and who are: (1) carrying a valid state license or permit for carrying a concealed firearm; or (2) otherwise entitled to carry a concealed firearm in their state of residence.

Bill· SS. 370 (111th)open

Guantanamo Bay Detention Facility Safe Closure Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 3 February 2009

Guantanamo Bay Detention Facility Safe Closure Act of 2009 - Prohibits federal funds from being used to: (1) transfer any detainee at the Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to any facility in the United States or its territories; (2) construct or enhance any facility in the United States in order to house any such detainee; or (3) house or otherwise incarcerate any such detainee in the United States or its territories.

Resolution· SCONRESS.Con.Res. 4 (111th)referred

A concurrent resolution calling on the President and the allies of the United States to raise the case of Robert Levinson with officials of the Government of Iran at every level and opportunity, and urging officials of the Government of Iran to fulfill their promises of assistance to the family of Robert Levinson and to share information on the investigation into the disappearance of Robert Levinson with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

United States · United States Congress · 3 February 2009

Commends the Embassy of Switzerland in Tehran and the government of Switzerland for the ongoing assistance to the U.S. government and to the family of Robert Levinson. Expresses appreciation for efforts by Iranian officials to ensure the safety of Robert Levinson's family during their December 2007 visit to Iran, as well as for the promise of continued assistance. Urges: (1) the government of Iran to intensify its cooperation on the Levinson investigation with the Embassy of Switzerland in Tehran and to share the results of its investigation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and (2) the President and U.S. allies to engage with Iranian government officials to raise the Levinson case at every opportunity. Expresses sympathy to the family of Robert Levinson.

Bill· SS. 309 (111th)referred

Nationwide Freight and Personal Mobility Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2009

Nationwide Freight and Personal Mobility Act - Specifies a formula for the automatic authorization of additional appropriations for National Highway System (NHS) improvement projects, starting FY2010, if apportionments fall below a certain level. Revises the federal share of non-Interstate highway projects to make it: (1) 80% for non-NHS projects; and (2) 85% for NHS projects.

Bill· SS. 307 (111th)referred

Critical Access Hospital Flexibility Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2009

Critical Access Hospital Flexibility Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to state Medicare rural hospital flexibility programs, in particular the criteria for designation of critical access hospitals. Revises requirements for the counting of beds for purposes of determining whether a hospital may be designated as a critical access hospital. Allows a facility to provide a maximum of 20 (currently 25) acute care inpatient beds, as determined on an annual, average basis. Declares that only occupied beds shall be counted. Exempts from the critical access hospital inpatient bed limitation beds provided to certain veterans.

Bill· SS. 308 (111th)referred

ROAD Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2009

Rural Opportunity and Development Act or the ROAD Act - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a rural opportunity and development (ROAD) program to promote opportunity and economic development in rural states through projects for the preservation and improvement of highways.

Bill· SS. 298 (111th)referred

Financial Markets Commission Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2009

Financial Markets Commission Act of 2009 - Establishes in the legislative branch the Financial Markets Commission to: (1) examine all causes, domestic and global, of the current financial and economic crisis in the United States, including the collapse of major financial and commercial firms and the deterioration of the credit and housing markets; and (2) investigate the role in the crisis, if any, of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), nationally recognized statistical rating organizations, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), trading facilities for commodities and self-regulatory organizations, the federal banking agencies, any financial or commercial corporation, partnership, or entity, and any other governmental or non-governmental entity. Requires the Commission to: (1) report its findings and recommendations to the President and Congress; and (2) refer to the U.S. Attorney General and any appropriate state attorney general any person that the Commission finds may have violated federal laws in relation to the crisis.

Bill· SS. 254 (111th)referred

Medicare Home Infusion Therapy Coverage Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 15 January 2009

Medicare Home Infusion Therapy Coverage Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for Medicare coverage of home infusion therapy and home infusion drugs. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to implement the Medicare home infusion therapy benefit in a manner that ensures that: (1) Medicare beneficiaries have timely and appropriate access to infusion therapy in their homes; and (2) there is rapid and seamless coordination between drug coverage under Medicare part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) and home infusion therapy services coverage under Medicare part B (Supplemental Security Income).

Bill· SS. 34 (111th)open

Broadcaster Freedom Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 6 January 2009

Broadcaster Freedom Act of 2009 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), notwithstanding any other provision of any Act, from having the authority to require broadcasters to present opposing viewpoints on controversial issues of public importance, commonly referred to as the Fairness Doctrine.

Bill· SS. 162 (111th)referred

Fiscal Discipline, Earmark Reform, and Accountability Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 January 2009

Fiscal Discipline, Earmark Reform, and Accountability Act - Amends Rule XVI (Appropriations and Amendments to General Appropriations Bills) of the Standing Rules of the Senate to revise procedures for consideration of points of order on appropriations bills. Makes it out of order to consider in the Senate: (1) new or general legislation or any unauthorized appropriation included in an appropriation bill; (2) any amendment to an appropriation bill with the effect of adding an unauthorized appropriation to it; or (3) any unauthorized appropriation included in any amendment between the chambers, or any amendment to such an amendment, in relation to a general appropriation bill. Amends Rule XLIV (Congressionally Directed Spending and Related Items), which makes it out of order to vote on the adoption of a conference report in the Senate unless it is available on a publicly accessible congressional website at least 48 hours before such vote. Specifies that such website availability must be in a searchable format. Amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 to require a recipient of federal funds to disclose any registered lobbyist to whom the recipient paid money to lobby on behalf of such funding, including the amount of such funds.

Resolution· SRESS.Res. 8 (111th)passed

A resolution relative to the death of the Honorable Claiborne de Borda Pell, former United States Senator for the State of Rhode Island.

United States · United States Congress · 6 January 2009

Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable Claiborne de Borda Pell, a former member of the U.S. Senate. Declares that when the Senate recesses on January 6, 2009, it stand in recess as a further mark of respect to the memory of Senator Pell.