United States · United States Congress · 1 April 2003
Clean Diamond Trade Act -Directs the President to prohibit the importation into, or exportation from, the United States of any rough diamond, from whatever source, that has not been controlled through the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS). Prescribes criteria for waiver of such prohibition. Directs the President to require the appropriate Government agency to conduct annual reviews of the standards, practices, and procedures of any entity in the United States that issues Kimberley Process Certificates for the exportation from the United States of rough diamonds to determine whether they accord with the KPCS. Makes the importing authority under this Act the U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection and the exporting authority the Bureau of the Census. Declares that the Congress supports the policy that the President take appropriate steps to promote and facilitate the adoption of the KPCS by the international community. Sets forth civil and criminal penalties for violation of this Act. Authorizes the President to direct the appropriate Federal agencies to make available technical assistance to countries seeking to implement the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme. Urges the President to work with Participants to strengthen the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme through the adoption of measures for: (1) sharing statistics on rough diamonds production and trade; and (2) monitoring the effectiveness of the KPCS in stemming trade in diamonds whose importation or exportation is not controlled through the KPCS. Urges the executive branch to continue to: (1) keep and publish statistics on imports and exports of rough diamonds; (2) make them available for analysis by interested parties and by Participants; and (3) take a leadership role in negotiating a standardized methodology among Participants for reporting such statistics. Declares the sense of Congress that the President should establish a Kimberley Process Implementation Coordinating Committee to coordinate the implementation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2003
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make the 10 percent additional tax on early distributions of pension plans inapplicable in the case of a "qualified public safety employee" receiving a specified type of benefit (DROP benefit) from a governmental pension plan. Defines "qualified public safety employee."
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2003
Amends the Federal criminal code to provide that certain prohibitions on the importation, manufacture, distribution, and storage of explosive materials shall not apply to commercially manufactured black powder in quantities not to exceed two pounds, safety and pyrotechnic fuses, quick and slow matches, electric matches, igniters, or non-detonable rocket propellant intended to be used in rockets that do not carry any: (1) explosive, incendiary, or poison gas; (2) bomb; (3) grenade; (4) explosive or incendiary charge of more than three-quarter ounce; (5) mine; or (6) similar device.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2003
Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act - Amends the Animal Welfare Act to increase the imprisonment penalty for animal fighting violations from one year to two years. Makes it unlawful to sell, buy, transport, or deliver in interstate or foreign commerce a knife, gaff, or other sharp instrument used in a bird-fighting venture. Revises enforcement provisions. Permits euthanasia for an animal in extreme pain. Includes the Internet or any technology as interstate instrumentality.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2003
Expresses the outrage of Congress at the flagrant violations by the Government of Iraq of the customary international law of war and the Convention Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War, dated at Geneva August 12 1949, and entered into force October 21, 1950. Supports in the strongest terms the President's warning to Iraq that the United States will hold the Government of Iraq, its officials, and military personnel involved accountable for any and all such violations. Expects Iraq to comply with the requirements of the international law of war and the explicit provisions of the Convention Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War, which afford prisoners of war the proper and humane treatment to which they are entitled. Expects that Iraq will afford prisoners of war access to representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross, as required by the Convention Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2003
Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate to arrange for the presentation, on behalf of Congress, of a gold medal to Prime Minister Tony Blair of the United Kingdom in recognition of his outstanding and enduring contributions to maintaining the security of all freedom-loving nations. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) strike such gold medal and to strike and sell duplicate bronze medals; and (2) deposit sums received from the sale of the bronze medals into the U.S. Mint Public Enterprise Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2003
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable Daniel Patrick Moynihan, a former member of the United States Senate. Declares that when the Senate adjourns on March 26, 2003, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of Senator Moynihan.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2003
Koby Mandell Act of 2003 - Establishes within the Department of Justice an Office of Justice for Victims of Overseas Terrorism. Requires the Office to: (1) assume responsibility for administration of the Rewards for Justice program and its website; (2) ensure that rewards are offered to capture all terrorists involved in harming American citizens overseas; (3) establish and administer a program comparable to the VINE system for notification of crime victims to notify or update American victims of overseas terrorism or their families on the status of efforts to capture the terrorists; (4) send an official U.S. Government representative to attend the funeral of every American victim of terrorism overseas; (5) work to expand restrictions on the ability of murderers to reap profits from books or movies concerning their crimes; (6) determine if terrorists who have harmed Americans overseas are serving in their local police or security forces and alert U.S. agencies that provide assistance to those forces; (7) undertake a comprehensive assessment to determine the reasons for the absence of indictments of terrorists residing in some regions; (8) monitor public actions pertaining to terrorists by governments and regimes overseas, such as naming streets or public institutions after terrorists; (9) initiate negotiations to secure financial compensation for American citizens who were harmed by an organization that claims responsibility for terrorist acts against Americans overseas and that subsequently become part of a governing regime with which the U.S. Government maintains diplomatic or official contacts; (10) monitor the incarceration abroad of terrorists who harmed Americans overseas; and (11) ensure that all terrorists who have harmed Americans overseas are treated by the Government as persona non grata.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2003
America's National Maritime Museum Designation Act - Amends the National Maritime Heritage Act of 1994 to: (1) revise the designation of museums composing the America's National Maritime Museum; and (2) designate specified new museums to be museums of the America's National Maritime Museum.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2003
Commends and supports the efforts and leadership of the President, as Commander in Chief, in the conflict against Iraq. Commends, and expresses the gratitude of the Nation to all members of the United States Armed Forces (whether on active duty, in the National Guard, or in the Reserves) and the civilian employees who support their efforts, as well as the men and women of civilian national security agencies who are participating in the military operations in the Persian Gulf region, for their professional excellence, dedicated patriotism and exemplary bravery. Commends and expresses the gratitude of the Nation to the family members of soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and civilians serving in operations against Iraq who have borne the burden of sacrifice and separation from their loved ones. Expresses the deep condolences of the Senate to the families of brave Americans who have lost their lives in this undertaking, over many years, against Iraq. Joins all Americans in remembering those who lost their lives during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm in 1991, those still missing from that conflict, including Captain Scott Speicher, USN, and the thousands of Americans who have lost their lives in terrorist attacks over the years, and in the Global War on Terrorism. Expresses sincere gratitude to British Prime Minister Tony Blair and his government for their courageous and steadfast support, as well as gratitude to other allied nations for their military support, logistical support, and other assistance in the campaign against Saddam Hussein's regime.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2003
Recognizes: (1) the 350th anniversary of the American Jewish community; and (2) the Commission for Commemorating 350 Years of American Jewish History (formed by the Library of Congress, the National Archives and Records Administration, the American Jewish Historical Society, and the Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives) and its efforts to plan, coordinate, and execute commemorative events. Supports designation of American Jewish History Month.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2003
Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act - Prohibits any qualified civil liability action from being brought in any State or Federal court and requires pending actions to be dismissed. Defines such an action to: (1) include an action brought against a manufacturer or seller of a firearm, ammunition, or a component of a firearm that has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce, or against a trade association of such manufacturers or sellers, for damages resulting from the criminal or unlawful misuse of a firearm; and (2) exclude an action brought against persons who transfer a firearm knowing that it will be used to commit a crime of violence or a drug trafficking crime; an action brought against a seller for negligent entrustment or negligence per se; an action in which a manufacturer or seller of a firearm willfully violated a State or Federal statute applicable to the sale or marketing of the firearm and the violation was a proximate cause of the harm for which relief is sought; an action for breach of contract or warranty in connection with the purchase of the firearm; or an action for physical injuries or property damage resulting directly from a defect in design or manufacture of the firearm when used as intended.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2003
Commuter Benefits Equity Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase (to $190) and equalize the transportation and parking fringe benefits exclusion. Provides equal benefits to Federal employees.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2003
Tax Empowerment and Relief for Farmers and Fishermen (TERFF) Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow certain commercial farming and fishing businesses a tax deduction for cash contributions (up to 20 percent of taxable income) to a Farm, Fishing, and Ranch Risk Management Account (FFARRM Account); (2) exempt agricultural bonds from private activity bond volume caps; (3) allow individuals a tax deduction for charitable contributions of food (currently restricted to C corporations); (4) extend income averaging to fishermen (currently allowed for farmers) and exclude income averaging for farmers and fishermen from the computation of the alternative minimum tax; (5) modify cooperative marketing rules to include value-added processing involving animals; (6) permit farmer cooperatives to seek declaratory judgments with respect to their tax-exempt status; and (7) allow the allocation of the small ethanol tax credit amounts to patrons of tax-exempt cooperatives. Amends the Code and title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to exclude certain rental income and conservation reserve program payments from the self-employment tax. Provides that dividends on the capital stock or other proprietary capital interests of tax-exempt cooperatives shall not reduce the net earnings of such cooperatives. Modifies involuntary conversion rules to extend from two to four years the replacement period for livestock sold due to drought, flood, or other weather-related conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2003
Medicare Puerto Rico Hospital Payment Parity Act of 2003 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise: (1) the payment formula to increase payment amounts to Puerto Rico hospitals that are based on the applicable Federal percentage of the discharge-weighted average of the national adjusted DRG (diagnostically-related group) prospective payment rate for hospitals located in urban and rural areas for discharges beginning in FY 2004; and (2) the calculation of Medicare disproportionate share payments for prospective payment system hospitals in Puerto Rico.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 2003
Amends Federal postal law to apply certain reduced postage rates to specified mail matter (cooperative mailings) sent (or proposed to be sent) by or on behalf of an organization authorized to mail at non-profit postage rates even though it has a contractual or any other business relationship with an entity not so authorized. Deems a conflict of interest creating a presumption against eligibility for use of such non-profit postage rates any contractual relationship between a qualified nonprofit organization with a commercial entity for solicitation of funds for or on behalf of the nonprofit organization, or for counseling services for the solicitation of funds. Exempts from this rule any such contract if the parties act severally and independently in forming it, or it is approved in advance: (1) by the governing body of the nonprofit organization, the controlling voting percentage of which is composed of persons other than officers, board members, principals, or employees of the commercial entity; or (2) by other persons authorized by such governing body to act on its behalf. Allows a rebuttal of the presumption against eligibility even if a conflict of interest is found to exist, if it can be demonstrated to the Postal Service that the contract meets certain standards of the Internal Revenue Service under the Internal Revenue Code establishing a rebuttable presumption that a transaction is not an excess benefit transaction.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 2003
Expresses the sense of the Senate that March 17, 2003, should be designated as a day for humility, prayer, and fasting for all people of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2003
Family Opportunity Act of 2003 or Dylan Lee James Act - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) give States the option of allowing families of disabled children to purchase Medicaid coverage for them; and (2) provide for treatment of inpatient psychiatric hospital services for individuals under age 21 under waivers allowing for payment of part or all of the cost of home or community-based services. Amends SSA title V (Maternal and Child Health Services) to make appropriations to the Secretary of Health and Human Services for special projects of regional and national significance for development and support of family-to-family health information centers. Amends SSA title XIX to provide for the restoration of Medicaid eligibility to certain Supplemental Security Income (SSA title XVI) beneficiaries under age 21.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2003
Designates the Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic in Horsham, Pennsylvania, as the Victor J. Saracini Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2003
Teacher Paperwork Reduction Act of 2003 - Directs the Comptroller General to study the causes of the paperwork burden of special education teachers and report to Congress with recommendations for reducing it. Requires the Department of Education, along with State and local educational agencies, to reduce such burden by at least 50 percent within 18 months. Amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to make mediation mandatory (currently voluntary) for all legal disputes related to Individual Education Programs. Directs the Department to use certain appropriations under IDEA part D to award grants to: (1) conduct research to determine best practices for successful mediation; and (2) provide mediation training support services.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2003
Responsible Fatherhood Act of 2003 - Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to direct the Secretary to award grants to eligible States and entities to conduct demonstration programs to promote responsible fatherhood. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to contract with a nonprofit fatherhood promotion organization to: (1) develop and distribute a media campaign that addresses the issue of responsible fatherhood to States, local governments, public agencies, and private entities; and (2) develop a national clearinghouse to assist States and community efforts to promote and support marriage and responsible fatherhood by disseminating information regarding media campaigns and programs instituted by States using grant funds under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2003
Declares that it should be U.S. policy to seek a genuine democratic government in Iran that will restore freedom to the Iranian people, abandon terrorism, and live in peace and security with the international community.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2003
Expresses the sense of Congress that March 17, 2003, should be designated as a day for humility, prayer, and fasting for all people of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2003
Invest in the U.S.A. Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a U.S. corporation doing business abroad to elect to have its foreign earnings taxed in the United States for one year at a rate equal to 5.25 percent of the excess qualified foreign distribution and the amount attributable to such corporation as controlled foreign-earned dividends in lieu of being taxed under alternative minimum tax or corporate rates, if dividends received are reinvested in the United States in an approved plan. Limits foreign tax credits with respect to dividends taxed at such 5.25 percent rate.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2003
Medicare+Choice Equity and Access Act of 2003 - Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) with respect to calculation of annual Medicare+Choice capitation rates to: (1) give Medicare+Choice organizations the option to receive payment based on the adjusted average per capita cost for the Medicare+Choice payment area involved; (2) revise the formula used to calculate the national standardized annual Medicare+Choice capitation rate to reflect Medicare+Choice enrollment; (3) remove application of the budget neutrality adjustment factor in the calculation of the blended capitation rate; and (3) provide for increase of the minimum percentage increase.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2003
Housing Bond and Credit Modernization and Fairness Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) repeal the required use of certain principal repayments on mortgage subsidy bond financings to redeem bonds; (2) modify the purchase price limitation under mortgage subsidy bond rules based on median family income; and (3) define the term "area median gross income" for low-income housing credit projects.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2003
Arming Cargo Pilots Against Terrorism Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that a flight deck crew member of a cargo aircraft should be armed with a firearm to defend such aircraft against attacks by terrorists that could use the aircraft as a weapon of mass destruction or for other terrorist purposes. Amends Federal transportation law to authorize the training and arming of flight deck crew members (pilots) of all-cargo air transportation flights to prevent acts of criminal violence or air piracy.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2003
Fallen Heroes of 9/11 Act - Authorizes the President to present to the personal representative or next of kin of each individual who died on or after September 11, 2001, as a direct result of the act of terrorism within the United States on that date, a Fallen Heroes of 9/11 Congressional Medal in recognition of their sacrifice and to honor their deaths. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike: (1) three medals to honor victims of the attack at the World Trade Center (WTC), victims aboard United Airlines Flight 93 that crashed in Pennsylvania, and victims at the Pentagon; and (2) duplicate medals for presentation to each precinct house, firehouse, emergency response station, or other duty station or place of employment to which officers, emergency workers, and other employees of the U.S. Government and of State and local government agencies (including the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey) and others who responded to and perished as a direct result of the WTC attacks were assigned on September 11, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2003
Medicare Improvements for Special Needs Beneficiaries Act of 2003 - Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to: (1) allow specialized Medicare+Choice plans for special needs beneficiaries to be any type of coordinated care plan; (2) provide for specialized Medicare+Choice plans for special needs beneficiaries; and (3) restrict enrollment for specialized Medicare+Choice plans to individuals within one or more classes of special needs beneficiaries.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2003
Ombudsman Reauthorization Act of 2003 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to revise provisions regarding the Ombudsman. Expands the duties of the Ombudsman to include assisting citizens in resolving problems relating to any program or requirement under this Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA), as well as any other program administered by the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response Requires the Ombudsman to conduct investigations, make findings of fact, and make nonbinding recommendations concerning such problems. Describes additional administrative and investigative powers of the Ombudsman. Requires the Ombudsman to appoint a Deputy for and maintain contact information in each region of the Agency. Requires annual reports on the status of health and environmental concerns addressed in complaints and cases brought before the Ombudsman. Provides criminal penalties for obstructing the proceedings of or making false or fraudulent statements to the Ombudsman. Protects employees who comply with this Act. .
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2003
Expresses support for the review by the Government of Saudi Arabia of its education curriculum. Calls on such Government to: (1) ensure that such review is thorough, objective, and public; and (2) reform such curriculum in a manner that promotes tolerance, develops civil society, and encourages functionality in the global economy. Requests the U.S. Representative to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to address the issue of the educational curriculum reform at the 2003 session of the UNESCO General Conference and to urge UNESCO to examine Saudi Arabia's educational system and monitor the progress of the efforts to reform the curriculum.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2003
Directs the Majority Leader of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to establish a special task force (including the Senate and House Historians, the Architect of the Capitol, and the Librarian of Congress) to: (1) study the history and contributions of slave laborers in the construction of the U.S. Capitol; (2) produce a summary document and available research for the public; and (3) recommend appropriate recognition which could be displayed in a prominent location in or near the Capitol.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2003
American History and Civics Education Act of 2003 - Directs the Chairperson of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) to award competitive grants to nonprofit educational institutions to establish: (1) Presidential Academies for Teaching of American History and Civics to offer workshops for teachers of American history and civics; and (2) Congressional Academies for Students of American History and Civics to offer workshops for outstanding students of American history and civics. Directs the NEH Chairperson to award a grant to an organization for the creation of a national alliance of elementary school and secondary school teachers of American history and civics.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2003
Declares that the Senate strongly disapproves of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision in Newdow v. U.S. Congress and the decision of the full court not to reconsider the case en banc. Authorizes and instructs the Senate Legal Counsel either to seek to intervene in the case to defend the constitutionality of the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance, or if unable to intervene, to file an amicus curiae brief in support of such constitutionality.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2003
Authorizes the President to award on behalf of Congress a gold medal to Joseph De Laine, Jr., to honor posthumously his father, Rev. Joseph Anthony De Laine (civil rights activist), for his contributions to the Nation.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2003
Training for Realtime Writers Act of 2003 - Directs the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to make competitive grants to eligible entities to promote training and placement of individuals, including individuals who have completed a court reporting training program, as realtime writers providing closed captioning in video programming. Sets forth priorities to be awarded in making grants. Limits grants to$1.5 million for a two-year period.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2003
Amends the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996 to terminate the authority for the establishment of a memorial to Martin Luther King, Jr., in the District of Columbia, on November 12, 2006.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2003
Inflammatory Bowel Disease Act - Requires the Director of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases to expand activities addressing inflammatory bowel disease, emphasizing genetic, animal model, and clinical research. Requires the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to establish a national program of prevention and epidemiology concerning such disease, addressing its prevalence and public and professional awareness. Directs the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies of Science to study public and private insurance standards for coverage of inflammatory bowel therapies. Directs the General Accounting Office to study problems inflammatory bowel disease patients have applying for disability insurance benefits under the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2003
Jobs and Growth Tax Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to accelerate the following previously enacted tax reductions: (1) the 10-percent individual income tax rate bracket expansion: (2) the reduction in individual income tax rates; (3) the 15-percent individual income tax rate bracket expansion for married taxpayers filing joint returns; (4) the increase in the standard deduction for married taxpayers filing joint returns; and (5) the increase in the child tax credit. Triples the small business expensing limit. Excludes from gross income the excludable portion of dividends. Sets forth definitions and rules concerning such exclusion.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2003
Patient Navigator, Outreach, and Chronic Disease Prevention Act of 2003 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize: (1) the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration; (2) the Director of the National Cancer Institute; and (3) the Director of the Indian Health Service to make grants for model programs to provide services for cancer and chronic diseases to individuals of health disparity populations. Requires that these services: (1) be provided in a culturally competent way; (2) include patient navigators to help with finding services and follow-up care; and (3) include ongoing outreach activities. Conditions grants on the presence of a fee schedule consistent with prevailing rates and a fee discount schedule which provides fee adjustments based on ability to pay. Evaluates services according to a peer-reviewed model according to best practices. Limits the grants to five years.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2003
Calls upon the Organization of American States Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to: (1) continue its reporting on the human rights situation in the Republic of Cuba; and (2) request a visit to Cuba to review and report to the international community on the human rights situation there. Calls upon the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and his newly appointed personal representative to vigorously pursue the implementation of the 2002 Resolution regarding the situation of human rights in Cuba. Calls upon the European Union to: (1) build upon its recognition of Cuban dissidents; and (2) request to visit Cuba to review the human rights situation there and report on it to the international community. Calls upon human rights organizations throughout the world to issue statements of solidarity with the Cuban human rights activists, political dissidents, prisoners of conscience, independent journalists, and other Cubans seeking to secure their internationally recognized human rights and fundamental freedoms.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2003
Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit any physician or other individual from knowingly performing a partial-birth abortion, except when necessary to save the life of a mother whose life is endangered by a physical disorder, illness, or injury. Defines a "partial-birth abortion" as an abortion in which the person performing the abortion: (1) deliberately and intentionally vaginally delivers a living fetus until, in the case of a head-first presentation, the entire fetal head is outside the mother's body, or, in the case of a breech presentation, any part of the fetal trunk past the navel is outside the mother's body; and (2) performs the overt act, other than completion of delivery, that kills the partially delivered living fetus. Authorizes the father, if married to the mother at the time of the abortion, and the maternal grandparents of the fetus, if the mother is under 18 years of age, to obtain specified relief in a civil action, unless the pregnancy resulted from the plaintiff's criminal conduct or the plaintiff consented to the abortion. Authorizes a defendant accused of an offense under this Act to seek a hearing before the State Medical Board on whether the physician's conduct was necessary to save the life of the mother. Prohibits the prosecution of a woman upon whom a partial-birth abortion is performed for conspiracy to violate this Act or under provisions regarding punishment as a principal or an accessory or for concealment of a felony.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2003
Death Tax Fairness Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue and the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 to permanently repeal the estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes, effective January 1, 2005.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2003
Opportunity for Every Child Act of 2003 - Empowering Parents Act of 2003 - Expresses the sense of the Senate regarding private school choice as well as public school choice and charter schools. School Choice Incentive Act of 2003 - Provides for education certificates to enable low-income students attending under-performing elementary or secondary schools the opportunity to attend a private school when public school choice is unavailable. Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make grants to eligible entities to provide such education certificates to eligible students. District of Columbia Student Opportunity Scholarship Act of 2003 - Authorizes the establishment of the District of Columbia Scholarship Corporation (Corporation) as a private, nonprofit corporation to administer, publicize, and evaluate a District scholarship program and determine elementary and secondary student and school eligibility. Establishes a District of Columbia Scholarship Fund. Authorizes the Corporation to award tuition scholarships and enhanced achievement scholarships to District students in kindergarten through grade 12 with family incomes not exceeding 185 percent of the national poverty line. Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to extend the authorization of appropriations for charter schools. Expresses the sense of the Senate regarding certain explorations the Senate should make as it considers the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Extends the authorization of appropriations for education of all children with disabilities. Expresses the sense of the Senate regarding: (1) expanding access to college; and (2) minority-serving institutions. Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to extend the authorization of appropriations for: (1) historically Black colleges and universities; (2) historically Black graduate institutions; and (3) Hispanic-serving institutions. Mathematics, Science, and Special Education Teacher Recruitment Act of 2003 - Expresses the sense of the Senate regarding student loan forgiveness for certain teachers. Revises HEA to provide for additional amounts of student loan forgiveness for highly-qualified teachers who agree to teach mathematics, science, or special education in high-need areas for five years. Expresses the sense of the Senate regarding the classroom expense tax deduction for teachers. Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to increase the amount of such deduction for elementary and secondary school teachers. Expresses the sense of the Senate regarding making education more affordable by making permanent specified provisions in title IV of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001. Give Back to Parents Act of 2003 - Amends the IRC to allow a refundable tax credit for up to 50 percent of the first $5,000 of a parent's expenses (including tuition, transportation, or equipment) for a student's attendance at another public or private (including parochial, religious, or home) school if the student is otherwise assigned to a school identified for school improvement.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Calls on executive branch officials and Members of Congress to raise the issue of anti-Semitism in their bilateral contacts with other countries and at multilateral fora, including meetings of the Permanent Council of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the July 2003 Twelfth Annual Session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. Calls on participating OSCE States to: (1) condemn anti-Semitism, racial and ethnic hatred, xenophobia, and discrimination, as well as persecution on religious grounds whenever it occurs; (2) ensure effective local and national law enforcement to prevent and counter criminal acts stemming from anti-Semitism, xenophobia, or racial or ethnic hatred, including maintaining mechanisms for the thorough investigation and prosecution of such acts; (3) promote the creation of educational efforts throughout the region to counter anti-Semitic stereotypes and attitudes among younger people, increase Holocaust awareness programs, and help identify the necessary resources to accomplish this goal; (4) play a leading role in combating anti-Semitism and ensure that the resolution adopted at the 2002 meeting of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in Berlin is followed up by a series of concrete actions at the national level; and (5) organize a separately designated human dimension event on anti-Semitism as early as possible in 2003, consistent with the Porto Ministerial Declaration adopted by the OSCE at the Tenth Meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council in December 2002.
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