United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2006
Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to acquire land near Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site for the purpose of expanding the Site. Prohibits any acquisition that would require the condemnation of property, the federal seizure of private property, or the exercise of eminent domain by a federal or state entity.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2006
Condemns the brutality of the Castro regime toward Martha Beatriz Roque, a 61-year-old woman in frail health. Demands that the Cuban regime allow the people of Cuba to exercise their fundamental human rights. Commends the courage and perseverance of Martha Beatriz Roque and all dissidents in Cuba. Calls on the Cuban regime to release the hundreds of political prisoners and to stop the intimidation of dissidents and their families. Calls for continued international support of pro-democracy leaders in Cuba.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2006
Enhanced Energy Security Act of 2006 - Directs the Secretary of Energy and other specified cabinet officials to promulgate regulations to implement a national oil savings plan. Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to set forth federal fleet conservation requirements to achieve reduced petroleum consumption. Provides assistance to states to: (1) retire fuel-inefficient motor vehicles; and (2) reduce school bus idling. Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) conduct a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application for electric drive transportation technology; and (2) establish a research and development program for lightweight materials research and vehicle weight reduction. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to: (1) provide loan guarantees for fuel-efficient automobile manufacturers and suppliers; and (2) require that the federal government consume specified amounts of renewable energy. Establishes the Alternative Fueling Infrastructure Trust Fund. Directs the Secretary to: (1) deploy new technologies to reduce oil use in transportation, including fuel from cellulosic biomass; (2) competitively award financial incentives for the manufacture of high-efficiency consumer products; and (3) conduct a national media campaign to decrease oil and natural gas consumption. Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to: (1) set forth a federal renewable portfolio standard; and (2) require state regulatory authorities to implement energy efficiency resource programs that include electric utilities and gas utilities. Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to authorize a federal agency to: (1) enter into a separate contract for energy services and conservation measures; and (2) provide the financing necessary to implement such contract. Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to make disaster relief loans to small business concerns for substantial economic injury incurred because of a significant increase in heating oil prices. Amends the Energy Conservation and Production Act to direct the Secretary to establish, within the Weatherization Assistance Program, a program to assist in the replacement of unsafe or highly inefficient heating and cooling units in low-income households.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2006
Enhanced Energy Security Tax Incentives Act of 2006 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2010 the tax credits for: (1) producing electricity from certain renewable resources; (2) investment in clean renewable energy bonds; (3) new energy efficient homes; (4) nonbusiness energy property; (5) residential energy efficient property; (6) investment in qualified fuel cell and microturbine property and solar energy property; (7) alternative fuels; and (8) qualified electric vehicles. Extends through 2010 the tax deduction for energy efficient commercial building property. Allows accelerated three-year depreciation of qualified energy management and water submetering devices. Limits depreciation allowances for certain large passenger motor vehicles. Removes the limitation on the number of new qualified hybrid and advanced lean burn technology vehicles eligible for the alternative motor vehicle tax credit. Allows tax credits for investment in advanced technology motor vehicles, fuel-efficient fleets of motor vehicles used in a trade or business, idling reduction devices, and combined heat and power system property. Terminates such credits after 2010. Increases from 30 to 50% the tax credit rate for investment in alternative vehicle refueling property (service stations for dispensing alternative motor vehicle fuels to retail consumers) and extends such credit through 2010. Requires certain integrated oil companies with gross receipts over $1 million and crude oil production levels over 500,000 barrels to revalue their LIFO inventories of crude oil, natural gas, and other petroleum products according to a specified formula. Denies such oil companies: (1) two-year amortization of their geological and geophysical expenditures; and (2) foreign tax credits for payments to foreign countries from which they receive a specified economic benefit.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2006
Pharmacists Medicare Relief Act of 2006 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require prompt payment of clean claims to pharmacies by prescription drug plans (PDPs) and Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans (MA-PD Plans). Defines prompt payment as within 14 days from submission for claims submitted electronically, and within 30 days for claims submitted otherwise. Requires payment of interest, also, if a payment is not issued, mailed, or otherwise transmitted within the applicable number of calendar days. Prohibits a Medicare prescription drug card issued by a PDP sponsor or an MA-PD plan, and any related marketing materials, from displaying the name or brand of any pharmacy (co-branding). Prescribes criminal penalties for engaging in prohibited co-branding.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2006
Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006 - Amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to revise requirements for: (1) the use of election examiners and observers; (2) declaratory judgment on the issue of voting qualifications or standards intended to diminish the ability of U.S. citizens to elect preferred candidates; and (3) award of attorney fees in enforcement proceedings to include expert fees and other reasonable costs of litigation. Extends bilingual election requirements through August 5, 2032. Revises the requirements for determining states and political subdivisions covered by them to require use of 2010 American Community Survey census data. Amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 with respect to the prohibition against the use of tests or devices to deny the right to vote in any federal, state, or local election. Extends both the prohibition and the date for mandatory congressional reconsideration of it.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2006
Granada Relocation Center National Historic Site Act of 2006 - Establishes the Granada Relocation Center National Historic Site, consisting of parts of Camp Amache, located in Granada, Colorado, as an affiliated site of the National Park System. Designates the "Friends of Amache" as the management entity for the Site. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to develop a general management plan for the Site.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2006
Securing America's Energy Independence Act of 2006 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2015: (1) the investment tax credit for solar energy property and qualified fuel cell property; and (2) the tax credit for residential photovoltaic, solar water heating, and fuel cell property expenditures. Modifies the maximum amounts for such residential credits based upon kilowatt of capacity. Allows such credits to be taken against the alternative minimum tax.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2006
Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2006 - Directs the Puerto Rico State Elections Commission to conduct a plebiscite in Puerto Rico during the 110th Congress on the sole question of continued U.S. territorial status or a path toward a permanent non-territorial status.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2006
National Defense Enhancement and National Guard Empowerment Act of 2006 - Expands the: (1) authority of the Chief of the National Guard Bureau (Bureau) to include membership on the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) (and raises the grade of the Chief from lieutenant general to general); and (2) functions of the Bureau to include facilitating and coordinating, with other federal agencies and the states, the use of Guard personnel and resources for, and in, contingency operations, military operations other than war, natural disasters, and support of civil authorities. Directs the Chief to: (1) identify gaps between federal and state capabilities to prepare for and respond to emergencies; and (2) make recommendations to the Secretary of Defense on Guard programs and activities to address such gaps. Requires annual Department of Defense (DOD) budget justification documents to include separate amounts for Guard training and equipment for military assistance to civil authorities and other domestic operations. Establishes within the JCS an Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for Reserve Matters. Expresses the sense of Congress calling for consideration of eligible reserve officers for promotion to the grades of lieutenant general or vice admiral on the active duty list. Requires the position of Deputy Commander of the U.S. Northern Command to be filled by a qualified Guard officer eligible for promotion to the grade of lieutenant general.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2006
Border Tunnel Prevention Act - Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit the construction or financing of an unauthorized tunnel or subterranean passage that crosses the international border between the United States and another country. Imposes a 20-year prison term for such offense. Doubles penalties for persons who use such a tunnel or passage to smuggle an alien, illegal goods, controlled substances, weapons of mass destruction, or members of a terrorist organization Imposes a 10-year prison term on any person who knows of or recklessly disregards the construction or use of an unauthorized tunnel or passage on land that such person owns or controls. Subjects to forfeiture any property involved in, or traceable to, the construction or financing of an unauthorized tunnel or passage. Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to promulgate or amend sentencing guidelines to provide for increased penalties for persons convicted of criminal offenses related to the construction or financing of an unauthorized tunnel or passage.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2006
Native American Methamphetamine Enforcement and Treatment Act of 2006 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to include territories and Indian tribes as eligible grant recipients (or reaffirm that eligibility) under the programs to: (1) address the manufacture, sale, and use of methamphetamine; (2) aid children in homes in which methamphetamine or other drugs are unlawfully manufactured, distributed, dispensed, or used; and (3) address methamphetamine use by pregnant and parenting women offenders.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 2006
Alternative Energy Refueling System Act of 2006 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a program to provide eligible entities (refueling vendors or owners or operators of a facility where an alternative energy refueling system is located) reimbursement from the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund for a portion of the costs of purchasing and installing one or more alternative energy refueling systems (systems used to refuel motor vehicles with an alternative fuel such as compressed natural gas or E-85 ethanol). Prohibits an entity that receives a federal tax credit for placing in service a qualified alternative fuel vehicle refueling property from receiving reimbursement under this Act if the system cost was taken into consideration in calculating the tax credit. Limits reimbursement to: (1) two systems for each facility owned by an eligible entity; and (2) the lesser of 30% of a system's cost or $30,000.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2006
Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 - Directs the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to ensure the existence and operation of a single updated searchable database website accessible by the public at no cost, that includes for each entity receiving federal funding: (1) the amount of federal funds received in each of the last 10 fiscal years; (2) an itemized breakdown of each transaction; (3) the entity's location and primary location of performance; and (4) a unique identifier for the entity and its parent entity.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2006
Rocky Mountain Forest Insects Response Enhancement and Support Act or the Rocky Mountain FIRES Act - Amends the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 to require the Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary of the Interior (the Secretary) to use not less than 70% of the funds allocated for authorized hazardous fuel reduction projects in the Rocky Mountain region for: (1) projects in the wildland-urban interface; and (2) projects on land that is in proximity to a municipal water supply system or a stream feeding such a system in a municipal watershed and that has been identified for such projects in community wildfire protection plans. Authorizes the Secretary to designate insect-emergency areas. Authorizes grants to: (1) at-risk communities in the Rocky Mountain region to assist such communities in preparing or revising a community wildfire protection plan; and (2) owners or operators of facilities that use biomass to offset their costs of purchasing biomass. Requires the Secretary to establish at least one collection point for the placement of vegetative material removed from federal or other land as part of a hazardous fuel reduction project.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2006
Oil and Gas Industry Antitrust Act of 2006 - Amends the Clayton Act to make it unlawful for any person to refuse to sell, or to export or divert, existing supplies of petroleum, gasoline, or other fuel derived from petroleum, or natural gas, with the primary intention of increasing prices or creating a shortage in a geographic market. Directs the Attorney General (AG) and the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to study whether section 7 of the Clayton Act (prohibiting certain mergers or acquisitions) should be amended to modify how that section applies to persons engaged in the business of exploring for, producing, refining, or otherwise processing, storing, marketing, selling, or otherwise making available petroleum, gasoline or other fuel derived from petroleum, or natural gas. Requires the Comptroller General to study the effectiveness of divestitures required under certain prior oil and gas industry consent decrees. Directs the AG and FTC Chairman to establish a joint federal-state task force to investigate information sharing among persons in the oil and gas industry. No Oil Producing and Exporting Cartels Act of 2006 or NOPEC - Amends the Sherman Act to make it illegal for any foreign state or instrumentality thereof to act collectively with any other foreign state or instrumentality to: (1) limit oil production or distribution; (2) set or maintain the price of oil; or (3) take any other action in restraint of trade for oil, natural gas, or any petroleum product.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2006
States that the Senate: (1) recognizes freedom of religion as a central tenet of democracy; (2) respects the right of the people of Afghanistan to self-government, while urging the government of Afghanistan to respect all universally recognized human rights; (3) condemns the arrest of Abdul Rahman and other instances of religious persecution in Afghanistan; (4) commends the dropping of charges against Abdul Rahman; and (5) urges the government of Afghanistan to consider the importance of religious freedom in the broader U.S.-Afghanistan relationship. Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President and the President's representatives should: (1) raise concerns at the highest levels with the government of Afghanistan regarding the violations of internationally recognized human rights, including the right to freedom of religion or belief; and (2) ensure that the International Religious Freedom Report 2006 for Afghanistan fully addresses the issue of religious persecution in that country, including the arrest of Abdul Rahman.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2006
Recognizes the significant contributions of U.S. youth and encourages the cultivation of a common civic bond between young people dedicated to serving their neighbors, their communities, and the Nation. Designates April 21, 2006, as National and Global Youth Service Day.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2006
Byron Nelson Congressional Gold Medal Act - Provides for the presentation of a congressional gold medal to Byron Nelson in recognition of his contributions to the game of golf as a player, teacher, and commentator.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2006
Specialty Crops Competition Act of 2006 - Defines "specialty crop" as each U.S. agricultural crop other than wheat, feed grains, oilseeds, cotton, rice, peanuts, sugar, dry peas, lentils, chickpeas, and tobacco. Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act to provide for marketing order specialty crop food safety programs. Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to: (1) increase assistance for the tree assistance program; (2) provide for increased fruit, vegetable, and specialty crop purchases; and (3) increase and extend specialty crop technical assistance. Obligates funds for fruit and vegetable marketing news activities. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to obligate funds for specialty crop operating loans. Provides for: (1) the study of the extent to which U.S. specialty crops have or have not benefited from any reductions of foreign trade barriers; and (2) a foreign market access strategy plan based on such study. Establishes a division in the Department of Agriculture to process petitions for reducing sanitary and phytosanitary export barriers and an office to develop and protect intellectual property rights in plants and plant materials. Amends Federal patent law to define "essentially derived plant." Provides for: (1) a national specialty crops development initiative grants program; (2) research on mechanized harvesting and new production and processing methods; and (3) a national clean plant network. Establishes the Invasive Pest and Disease Response Fund in the Treasury to support emergency eradication and research activities. Provides for independent scientific advice and peer review with regard to specialty crop import and export requests. Authorizes food safety initiatives. Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to remove the income limitation from the environmental quality incentives program. Addresses the development of voluntary sustainable practices guidelines for producers and processors of specialty crops.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2006
Designates the week that begins on April 2, 2006, as Week of the Young Child. Urges U.S. citizens to recognize the importance of comprehensive early childhood education programs.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2006
Honors the National Association of State Veterans Homes and the 119 state veterans homes providing long-term care to veterans. Commends all individuals who work in, or on behalf of, state veterans homes for their contributions in caring for elderly and disabled veterans. Recognizes the importance of the partnership between the states and the Department of Veterans Affairs in providing long-term care to veterans. Affirms the support of Congress for continuation of the state homes program to address the known and anticipated needs of veterans for institutional long-term care services.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2006
Protecting Taxpayer Privacy Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require Treasury regulations to prohibit tax return preparers from disclosing tax return information to third parties without taxpayer consent and unless such third parties are corporate affiliates of the tax return preparer or a corporate fiduciary with respect to the taxpayer. Authorizes the issuance of additional regulations permitting other limited disclosures of tax return information.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2006
Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of the American Latino Community Act of 2006 - Establishes the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of the American Latino Community to develop a plan of action for the establishment and maintenance of a National Museum of the American Latino Community in Washington, D.C.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2006
United States Trade Enhancement Act of 2006 - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 with respect to antidumping or countervailing duty reviews by the administering authority. Suspends, from April 1, 2006, until June 30, 2009, the requirement that the administering authority direct the Customs Service to allow, at the importer's option, the posting of a bond or security in lieu of a cash deposit, until completion of the review, for each entry of the subject merchandise (bonding privileges). Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to report to specified congressional committees on: (1) the impact of such suspension; (2) any major problem in the collection of duties during the four most recent fiscal years; and (3) an analysis of proposed solutions for such problems. Modifies the composition of the Office of the U.S. Trade Representatives (USTR) to include a General Counsel. Requires the USTR to establish an interagency Trade Enforcement Working Group to assist the General Counsel. Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to require the USTR to identify and report annually to specified congressional committees: (1) on U.S. trade enforcement priorities; (2) enforcement actions and their impact; and (3) priority foreign country trade practices on which the USTR will focus enforcement efforts. International Monetary and Financial Policy Cooperation Act of 2006 - Amends the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 to repeal the Exchange Rates and International Economic Policy Coordination Act of 1988. Requires the President to establish an Advisory Committee on International Monetary and Financial Policy, and the Secretary of the Treasury to report annually to Congress on international economic policy and currency exchange rates. Specifies subsequent actions the Secretary shall take with respect to each currency of the major economies or economic areas that are in fundamental misalignment for which the misalignment causes, or contributes to, a material adverse impact on the U.S. economy. Specifies conditions for U.S. approval of a proposed change in the governance arrangement of any international financial institution. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to modify factors for determining if a foreign country is a "nonmarket economy country." Provides for an additional Assistant Secretary of the Treasury.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2006
GreenLane Maritime Cargo Security Act - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to submit to Congress a comprehensive strategic plan to enhance international supply chain security for all modes of transportation by which containers arrive in, depart from, or move through U.S. seaports. Directs the Secretary to develop and implement a plan for improving the Automated Targeting System for identifying high-risk containers moving through the international supply chain. Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish: (1) an Under Secretary for Policy in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to serve as the principal policy advisor to the Secretary of Homeland Security; and (2) an Office of Cargo Security Policy to coordinate all Department policies and programs relating to cargo security. Establishes minimum standards for securing containers in transit to an importer in the United States, including international standards for the security of containers moving through the international supply chain. Requires all containers entering the United States to be examined for radiation. Establishes the Container Security Initiative (CSI) to identify and examine maritime containers that pose a risk for terrorism at foreign ports before they are shipped to the United States. Establishes: (1) the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) to strengthen and improve the overall security of the international supply chain and U.S. border security; and (2) a third tier of C-TPAT (Greenlane) that offers additional benefits to validated C-TPAT participants that demonstrate a sustained commitment beyond the minimum requirements for participation in C-TPAT. Establishes a port security grant program to correct port security vulnerabilities.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2006
Energy Diplomacy and Security Act of 2006 - Expresses the sense of Congress on energy diplomacy and security. Urges the Secretary of State to seek immediately to establish: (1) strategic energy partnerships with the governments of major energy producers and major energy consumers, and with governments of other countries; (2) petroleum crisis response mechanisms with the governments of China and India; (3) a Western Hemisphere energy crisis response mechanism; and (4) a regional-based ministerial Hemisphere Energy Cooperation Forum. Urges the President to place on the agenda for discussion at the Governing Board of the International Energy Agency the merits of establishing an international energy program application procedure. Urges the Hemisphere Energy Cooperation Forum (established in response to this Act) to implement: (1) an Energy Crisis Initiative; (2) an Energy Sustainability Initiative; and (3) an Energy for Development Initiative. Encourages the Secretary to approach other governments in the Western Hemisphere to seek cooperation in establishing a Hemisphere Energy Industry Group of industry and government representatives, coordinated by the U.S. Government.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2006
Rural Veterans Care Act of 2006 - Establishes the Assistant Secretary for Rural Affairs in the Department of Veterans Affairs to: (1) formulate and implement all Department policies and procedures that affect veterans living in rural areas; (2) carry out demonstration projects to examine alternatives for expanding veterans' care in rural areas; (3) reevaluate, and revise as necessary, Department guidance and procedures related to the use of fee basis care nationwide; and (4) establish and operate at least one and up to five centers of excellence for rural health research, education, and clinical activities. Directs the Secretary to conduct a pilot program for improving the access of veterans who reside in highly rural or geographically remote areas to certain health care services.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2006
Emergency Agricultural Disaster Assistance Act of 2006 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide emergency financial assistance to eligible agricultural producers (other than sugar cane and sugar beet producers) who have incurred qualifying 2005 crop losses due to weather or related conditions (including crop disease, insects, and delayed harvest). Directs the Secretary to provide: (1) payments through the 2002 livestock compensation program to livestock producers who have incurred 2005 losses in emergency-designated counties; (2) livestock indemnity payments to producers who have incurred 2005 livestock disaster losses, including losses due to hurricanes, floods, and anthrax; (3) indemnity payments to poultry producers in hurricane-affected counties; (4) compensation for certain owners of flooded crop and grazing land in North Dakota; (5) sugarcane and sugar beet disaster assistance for qualifying producers and first processors in Louisiana counties designated as disaster areas due to Hurricanes Katrina or Rita, or to qualifying producers and first processors in Florida for 2005 losses due to hurricanes, floods, rain, or storms; (6) assistance to specialty and nursery crop producers in hurricane-affected counties; (7) assistance to dairy producers in hurricane-affected counties; (8) assistance to producers and first handlers of cottonseed; (9) grants for agricultural promotion; (10) supplemental economic loss payments under a specified rate to producers who received crop year 2005 commodity assistance; and (11) assistance to tree producers (including Christmas, potted, ornamental, and nursery trees, shrubs, and vines) in hurricane-affected counties. Authorizes the Secretary to provide: (1) financial and technical assistance to remove debris and animal carcasses that could adversely affect health and safety on non-federal land in hurricane-affected counties; and (2) immunizations to Department of Agriculture employees involved in direct recovery work in hurricane-affected counties. Directs the Secretary to hire additional state and county Farm Service Agency personnel to assist in agricultural disaster and economic assistance programs.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2006
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Visitor Center Deadline Enforcement Act - Amends federal law which authorized construction of a Vietnam Veterans Memorial Visitor Center (Center) in Washington, D.C. to require: (1) the Center to be located underground in the triangular land area between Henry Bacon Drive, 23rd Street, Constitution Avenue, and the Lincoln Memorial; and (2) final approval for the Center no later than 30 days after the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2006
Alternative Energy Extender Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2010: (1) the tax credit for electricity produced from certain renewable resources; (2) the tax credit for holders of clean renewable energy bonds and the national volume cap for such bonds; (3) the tax deduction for energy efficient commercial buildings; (4) the tax credit for new energy efficient homes; (5) the tax credit for residential energy efficient property; (6) the tax credits for investment in qualified fuel cells, microturbine power plants, and solar energy property; and (7) the income and excise tax credits for biodiesel and alternative fuels and for alternative fuel vehicle refueling property. Increases the maximum tax credit amounts for the advanced coal and gasification project programs. Extends through 2012 the taxpayer election to expense certain crude oil refinery property. Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to extend through 2010 the suspension of duties on mixtures of ethyl alcohol and ethyl tertiary-butyl ether.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2006
Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act of 2006 - States that it shall be U.S. policy to: (1) support a peaceful, two-state solution to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians in accordance with the Performance-Based Roadmap to a Permanent Two-State Solution to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (Roadmap), and oppose those organizations, individuals, and countries that support terrorism and violently reject such two-state solution; (2) promote democracy and the cessation of terrorism and incitement in institutions and territories controlled by the Palestinian Authority (PA); and (3) urge members of the international community to avoid contact with and refrain from financially supporting the terrorist organization Hamas until it agrees to recognize Israel, renounce violence, disarm, and accept prior agreements, including the Roadmap. Amends the the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to provide assistance under such Act to the PA only during a period for which a presidential certification has determined that: (1) no PA ministry, agency, or instrumentality is controlled by Hamas unless Hamas has publicly acknowledged Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state and is adhering to all previous agreements and understandings with the United States, Israel, and the international community, including agreements and understandings pursuant to the Roadmap; and (2) the PA has made demonstrable progress toward purging from its security services individuals with ties to terrorism, dismantling all terrorist infrastructure and cooperating with Israel's security services, halting anti-American and anti-Israel incitement, and ensuring democracy and financial transparency. Directs the President to make and transmit such certifications to Congress every six months. Provides for, and sets forth the conditions under which, the President may waive such limitations for national security reasons. Prohibits during a period in which a certification is is not in effect (period) with respect to the PA: (1) assistance under this Act to nongovernmental organizations for the West Bank and Gaza (exempts assistance for basic human needs, promotion of democracy, or for national security interests from such limitation); and (2) establishment of an office, headquarters, premises, or other facilities within U.S. jurisdiction at the direction of, or with funds provided by, the PA (with a national security waiver). Expresses the sense of Congress that during any such period the territory controlled by the PA should be deemed to be in use as a terrorist sanctuary for purposes of the Export Administration Act of 1979, and of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1988 and 1989. States that during any such period: (1) a visa should not be issued to any alien who is an official of, affiliated with, or serving as a PA representative, other than the President of the PA and his or her personal representatives, provided that the President of the PA and such personal representatives are not affiliated with Hamas or any other foreign terrorist organization; (2) the President should restrict the travel of PA and Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) officials and representatives, other than the President of the PA and his or her personal representatives, provided that the President of the PA and such personal representatives are not affiliated with Hamas or any other foreign terrorist organization, who are stationed at the United Nations in New York City to a 25-mile radius of the U.N. headquarters building; and (3) the President should direct the executive director at each international financial institution to use U.S. influence to prohibit assistance to the PA (exempts assistance for basic human needs and promotion of democracy from such limitation). Prohibits funds for the State Department from being used by any U.S. officer or employee to negotiate with members or official representatives of Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, or any other Palestinian terrorist organization (except in emergency or humanitarian situations) until such organization: (1) recognizes Israel's right to exist; (2) renounces terrorism; (3) dismantles the terrorist infrastructure; and (4) recognizes all previous agreements and understandings between Israel and the PA.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2006
Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) reduce from 30 to seven days after the issuance of a warrant the period in which notice must be given to the subject of the warrant that it was issued to search for and seize any property or material that constitutes evidence of a criminal offense; and (2) repeal provisions treating as conclusive the certification of the Attorney General or the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation that certain disclosures of information endanger national security. Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) to: (1) authorize judicial review of nondisclosure orders (orders prohibiting persons from disclosing that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has sought information); (2) repeal the requirement prohibiting judicial review of production or nondisclosure orders until one year after such order. Requires a production order (an order from the FBI Director to produce any tangible thing, such a book, document, or record) to either: (1) pertain to a foreign power, agent of a foreign power, or an individual in contact with, or known to, a suspected agent of a foreign power; or (2) be relevant to the activities of a suspected agent of a foreign power who is the subject of the authorized investigation. Amends the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 to sunset, as of December 31, 2009, the national security letter authority provisions added to the federal criminal code, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Right to Financial Privacy Act, and the National Security Act of 1947.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2006
Designates the week of March 13-March 19, 2006, as National Safe Place Week. Calls on people and groups to promote awareness of, and volunteer involvement in, the Safe Place program (offers young people in early stages of crisis safe places where trained volunteers are available to counsel and advise them).
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2006
Honest Leadership and Accountability in Contracting Act of 2006 - Amends the federal criminal code to impose fines and penalties on war profiteering and fraud. Requires revision of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to provide that no prospective contractor shall be considered to have a satisfactory record of integrity and ethics if it has a pattern of either overcharging the government or failing to comply with the law. Provides for the disclosure to Congress of audit reports issued by executive agencies. Requires the Federal Procurement Data System to be modified to include publication of information on specified federal contractor penalties and violations. Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to prohibit awarding of certain monopoly federal contracts. Requires revision of the FAR to require competition for certain multiple award contracts. Denies protest rights for certain awards. Prohibits an agency from contracting for the performance of: (1) any inherently governmental function; or (2) acquisition functions closely associated with inherently governmental functions. Prescribes minimum requirements for political appointees holding public contracting and safety positions. Includes as a protected disclosure by a Federal employee: (1) any lawful disclosure an employee or applicant reasonably believes is credible evidence of waste, abuse, or gross mismanagement, without restriction as to time, place, form, motive, context, or prior disclosure; and (2) the disclosure of information required to be kept secret in the interest of national defense or the conduct of foreign affairs that the employee or applicant reasonably believes is direct evidence of waste, abuse, or gross mismanagement if such disclosure is made to a Member or employee of Congress who is authorized to receive information of the type disclosed. Sets forth provisions concerning review and appeal of actions concerning such disclosures. Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to provide that, for purposes of provisions regarding the protection of voluntarily shared critical infrastructure information, a permissible use of independently obtained critical infrastructure information includes any lawful disclosure an employee or applicant reasonably believes is credible evidence of waste, fraud, abuse, or gross mismanagement, without restriction as to time, place, form, motive, context, or prior disclosure. Requires agencies to inform employees on how to make a lawful disclosure of information.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2006
Authorizes the Secretary of Education to carry out the educational flexibility (Ed-Flex) program to allow states that were in the program on September 30, 2004, to continue to waive statutory and regulatory requirements applicable to certain federally-funded education programs until the reauthorization of part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2006
Medicare Prescription Drug Gap Reduction Act of 2006 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to reduce the coverage gap in prescription drug coverage under SSA part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program), based on savings to the Medicare program resulting from the negotiation of prescription drug prices. Grants the Secretary of Health and Human Services authority similar to that of other federal entities that purchase prescription drugs in bulk to negotiate contracts with manufacturers of covered part D drugs. States that the Secretary shall be required to: (1) negotiate contracts with manufacturers of covered part D drugs for each fallback prescription drug plan; and (2) participate in negotiation of contracts of any covered part D drug upon request of an approved prescription drug plan or Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plan. Prohibits the Secretary from requiring a particular formulary or instituting a price structure for the reimbursement of covered part D drugs in order to carry out, and promote competition, under part D.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2006
South Park National Heritage Area Act - Establishes the South Park National Heritage Area in South Park, Colorado. Designates the Park County Tourism & Community Development Office, in conjunction with the South Park National Heritage Area Board of Directors, as the management entity for the Area. Prohibits the Park County Tourism & Community Development Office from using federal funds made available under this Act to acquire real property or any interest in real property. Requires the Park County Tourism & Community Development Office to submit a management plan for the Area.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2006
Louis Braille Bicentennial--Braille Literacy Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue $1 coins emblematic of the life and legacy of Louis Braille, whose design: (1) on the obverse shall bear a representation of the image of Louis Braille; and (2) on the reverse shall emphasize Braille literacy and include the word for Braille in Braille code. Authorizes the Secretary to issue such coins only during 2009. Subjects all coin sales to a surcharge of $10 per coin. Requires all surcharges to be promptly paid by the Secretary to the the National Federation of the Blind to further its programs to promote Braille literacy.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2006
Designates March 1, 2006, as Siblings Connection Day. Expresses support for efforts to respect and preserve sibling relationships that are at risk of being disrupted due to the placement of children into the foster care system.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2006
Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act of 2006 - Amends the Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act of 2005 to extend for three years the annual cap exemption for returning H-2B aliens (temporary nonagricultural worker).
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 2006
Congressional Pension Accountability Act - Prohibits a Member of Congress, or a survivor or beneficiary, from receiving an annuity or retired pay if such Member is: (1) convicted of bribery of public officials and witnesses, conspiracy either to commit any offense against the United States or to defraud the United States, perjury, or subornation of perjury; or (2) indicted or has outstanding charges under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Defines "Member of Congress" as the Vice President, a member of the Senate or the House of Representatives, a Delegate to the House of Representatives, and the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2006
Congressional Tribute to Dr. Norman E. Borlaug Act of 2006 - Authorizes The President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to make appropriate arrangements for the presentation, on behalf of Congress, of a gold medal of appropriate design, to Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, in recognition of his enduring contributions to the United States and the world.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 2006
Urges: (1) the Sudan government to continue to prosecute Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) terrorists and aid Uganda in ending the conflict there; (2) Uganda to use all available resources to end LRA atrocities and bring its members to justice; (3) the United States and the international community to recognize the atrocities and provide necessary humanitarian assistance; and (4) designation of February 2-February 9, 2006, as a National Week of Prayer and Reflection for the people of Northern Uganda.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 2006
Congressional Tribute to Constance Baker Motley Act of 2006 - Authorizes the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to make appropriate arrangements for the posthumous presentation, on behalf of Congress, of a gold medal of appropriate design in commemoration of Constance Baker Motley, in recognition of her enduring contributions and service to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2006
Expresses admiration for Mrs. Coretta Scott King's lifelong commitment to social justice and peace. Recognizes her role as a leading participant in the American civil rights movement and her support to democracy movements worldwide.
![Official portrait of Sen. Salazar, Ken [D-CO]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s001163_200.jpg)