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United States · Official source
9,581 records where Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
False Travel Documents Prohibition Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit the production, transfer, possession, and use of false travel documents.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Provides for the relief of Alemseghed Mussie Tesfamical.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
National Energy and Environmental Security Act of 2007 - Expresses the sense of Congress that Congress should enact, and the President should sign, legislation to enhance the security of the United States by reducing its dependence on foreign and unsustainable energy sources and the risks of global warming by: (1) requiring reductions in emissions of greenhouse gases; (2) diversifying and expanding the use of secure, efficient, and environmentally-friendly energy supplies and technologies; (3) reducing the burdens on consumers of rising energy prices; (4) eliminating tax giveaways to large energy companies; and (5) preventing energy price gouging, profiteering, and market manipulation.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Rebuilding America's Military Act of 2007 - Expresses the sense of Congress that Congress should enact legislation to: (1) restore and enhance the capabilities of the Armed Forces for deterrence, combat, and post-conflict operations; (2) enhance the readiness of the Armed Forces, including the reset of military equipment; and (3) support the men and women of the Armed Forces, including members of the National Guard and Reserves.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Lane Evans Veterans Health and Benefits Improvement Act of 2007 - Makes a veteran who served on active duty during a period of war eligible for a mental health evaluation and hospital care, medical services, nursing home care, and family and marital counseling for any identified mental health condition, notwithstanding insufficient medical evidence to conclude that the condition is attributable to such service. Requires: (1) post-deployment medical and mental health screenings to be conducted within 30 days after a deployment; (2) each member, upon discharge, to be provided an electronic copy of all military records of such member; and (3) the Secretary of Defense to ensure appropriate outreach to members of the National Guard and reserves concerning benefits and services available upon discharge or deactivation. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish and maintain a Global War on Terrorism Veterans Information System. Requires quarterly reports from the Secretaries of Veterans Affairs, Labor, and Defense on the effects on veterans and on each such department of participation in the Global War on Terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Improving America's Security by Implementing Unfinished Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 - Expresses the sense of Congress that Congress should enact, and the President should sign, legislation to make the United States more secure by implementing unfinished recommendations of the 9/11 Commission to fight the war on terror more effectively and to improve homeland security.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct and support research that utilizes human embryonic stem cells, regardless of the date on which the stem cells were derived from a human embryo. Limits such research to stem cells that meet the following ethical requirements: (1) the stem cells were derived from human embryos donated from in vitro fertilization clinics for the purpose of fertility treatment and were in excess of the needs of the individuals seeking such treatment; (2) the embryos would never be implanted in a woman and would otherwise be discarded; and (3) such individuals donate the embryos with written informed consent and receive no financial or other inducements. Requires the Secretary to develop techniques for the isolation, derivation, production, or testing of stem cells that are capable of producing all or almost all of the cell types of the developing body and may result in improved understanding of treatments for diseases and other adverse health conditions, but that are not derived from a human embryo. Requires the Secretary to: (1) provide guidance concerning the next steps required for additional research; (2) prioritize research with the greatest potential for near-term clinical benefit; and (3) take into account techniques outlined by the President's Council on Bioethics and any other appropriate techniques and research.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
War Profiteering Prevention Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit profiteering and fraud involving a contract or the provision of goods or services in connection with a war, military action, or relief or reconstruction activities within U.S. jurisdiction (including making materially false statements or representations or materially overvaluing any good or service with the specific intent to make excessive profit). Sets penalties for violations, including up to 20 years' imprisonment and a fine of the greater of $1 million or twice the gross profits or other proceeds. Subjects: (1) any property which constitutes or is derived from proceeds traceable to a violation to civil and criminal forfeiture; and (2) transactions involving such property or proceeds to money laundering provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2007 - Expresses the sense of Congress that Congress should enact, and the President should sign, legislation to amend part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for fair prescription drug prices for Medicare beneficiaries.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2007 - Deems certain service performed before July 1, 1946, in the organized military forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Scouts as active military service for purposes of eligibility for veterans' benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Repeals certain provisions discounting such service as qualifying service.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Foreign Surveillance Expedited Review Act - Provides standing for civil actions for declaratory and injunctive relief to persons who refrain from electronic communications through fear of being subject to warrantless electronic surveillance for foreign intelligence purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
High Risk Protection Act - Requires amounts appropriated to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for the Urban Area Security Initiative Grant Program to be allocated based solely on risk (which shall include an evaluation of threats, vulnerabilities, and consequences and consideration of any previous terrorist attacks). Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security: (1) in determining which areas qualify as high-threat areas, to consider whether the area contains critical infrastructure and is located on an international border or coastline and the area's population, population density, law enforcement investigative and enforcement activity, and tourism; and (2) in allocating amounts among high-threat areas, to evaluate all threats (including threats to national monuments and icons) and critical infrastructure vulnerabilities. Provides that the Program shall not be subject to the DHS peer review process. Allows funds made available under the Program to be used for overtime and other employment costs directly relating to the prevention of terrorist activities. Requires the Secretary to submit reports to each Member of Congress who represents a high-threat area regarding the proposed allocation of funds and to specified congressional committees on the determinations made.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Witness Security and Protection Act of 2007 - Amends the federal judicial code to establish in the U.S. Marshals Service a Short Term State Witness Protection Program to provide protection for witnesses in state and local trials involving homicide or other major violent crimes pursuant to cooperative agreements with state and local criminal prosecutor's offices and the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia. Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to eligible prosecutor's offices for the purpose of providing short term protection to witnesses in trials involving homicide or serious violent felony.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Anti-Gun Trafficking Penalties Enhancement Act of 2007 - Amends the Science, State, Justice, Commerce, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006 to repeal restrictions on disclosure of the content of the Firearms Trace System database. Directs the Attorney General to provide state and local governments or law enforcement agencies with information from such database upon receipt of a written request. Requires federal law enforcement agencies investigating a crime to provide information about firearms stolen or used in such crime to the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco, and Explosives (BAFTE). Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to require state and local law enforcement agencies investigating a crime to provide information about firearms stolen or used in such crime to BAFTE. Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) permit the Attorney General to inspect the inventory and records of a licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer to insure compliance with recordkeeping requirements at any time (currently, not more than once in 12 months); (2) increase penalties for firearms violations; and (3) include illegal firearms sales and trafficking in the definition of racketeering activity.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Flight 800 Improvement Act of 2007 - Directs the Federal Aviation Administration to: (1) finalize and implement, not later than January 1, 2008, a proposed rule relating to the reduction of fuel tank flammability in transport category airplanes; and (2) study and report on ways to improve the safety and reduce the flammability of fuel tanks located on airplane wings. Authorizes the Administrator to provide matching funds to airplane operators and manufacturers for complying with such rule.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Freedom to Fly Act of 2007 - Allows a pilot who has attained 60 years of age to serve as a passenger airline pilot until the age of 65 years old only if the pilot serves: (1) as a required pilot in multi-crew aircraft operations; and (2) with another required pilot who has not yet attained 60 years of age. Terminates the age-60 rule (mandatory retirement age) 30 days after enactment of this Act. Declares that such requirements shall not provide the basis for a claim of seniority made under any labor bargaining agreement in effect between the pilots and an air carrier by any pilot who has attained age 60 before the effective date of this Act and who is seeking a position as a pilot with such carrier following that pilot's termination or cessation of employment or promotion or transfer to another position with such air carrier.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007 - Expresses the sense of Congress that the Senate and the House of Representatives should pass, and the President should sign, legislation to recognize the heritage of the United States as a nation of immigrants and to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for more effective border and employment enforcement, to prevent illegal immigration, and to reform and rationalize avenues for legal immigration.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Individual Alternative Minimum Tax Repeal Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the alternative minimum tax on individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
College Opportunity Act of 2007 - Declares the sense of Congress that the Congress should enact, and the President sign, measures that make college more affordable by increasing Pell Grants and providing more favorable student loans and other benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
West Valley Remediation Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to remediate the Western New York Nuclear Service Center in West Valley, New York. Requires the Secretary to decontaminate and decommission: (1) Center facilities in which certain solidified high level radioactive waste was stored; (2) facilities used in waste solidification; and (3) material and hardware used in connection with the West Valley Demonstration Project. Makes the Secretary responsible for all remediation costs. Instructs the Secretary to: (1) transport high level radioactive waste at the Center to a federal repository for permanent disposal; (2) safeguard and ensure safe storage of such waste; and (3) dispose of low level radioactive waste and transuranic waste located at the Center, including future radioactive waste generated as a result of remediation. Directs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to regulate the remediation of radioactive waste and nuclear materials at the Center. Requires the Secretary to develop and submit a specified decommissioning plan for NRC approval. Requires the Secretary to: (1) enter into a consultation agreement with New York State regarding remediation of the Center; (2) prepare an environmental impact statement for decommissioning or long-term stewardship of the Center; and (3) assume exclusive use and possession of the Center after execution of a Cooperative Agreement with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. Requires the Secretary to take title to any land or facilities at the Center that have not been approved by the NRC for release for unrestricted use, and title to all radioactive and nonradioactive wastes and materials located at the Center. Repeals the West Valley Demonstration Project Act upon assumption of exclusive use and possession of the Center by the Secretary.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2007 - Amends federal veterans' benefits provisions to entitle to educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill individuals in certain length-of-service categories who, commencing on or after September 11, 2001, serve on active duty in the Armed Forces. Establishes the duration of such assistance (in most cases 36 months) and assistance amounts. Requires programs of education pursued with such assistance to be approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Allows for the pursuit of an approved program of education while on active duty. Allows, under such assistance, for the pursuit of: (1) programs on less than a half-time basis; (2) apprenticeship or other on-job training; (3) correspondence courses; (4) flight training; (5) tutorial assistance; and (6) licensure and certification tests. Makes individuals entitled to assistance under this Act also eligible for supplemental educational assistance for additional active duty service. Requires the Secretary to carry out a program, to be known as the "Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement Program," under which colleges and universities may enter into an agreement with the Secretary to cover, for certain individuals, a portion of established charges not otherwise covered and match contributions toward such costs. Requires educational assistance under this Act to be used within 15 years of the individual's discharge or release from active duty (with exceptions). Allows individuals currently under the Montgomery GI Bill educational assistance program to elect to participate in the post-9/11 educational assistance program with respect to any unused entitlement.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Legislative Transparency and Accountability Act of 2007 - Authorizes a point of order by any Senator against consideration of a conference report that includes any matter not committed to the conferees by either chamber. Adds Rule XLIV (Earmarks) to the Standing Rules of the Senate to make it out of order to consider any Senate bill, amendment, or conference report, unless a list of all its earmarks, the identity of the Member or Members proposing them, and an explanation of their essential governmental purpose, along with any associated joint statement of managers, is made available to all Members, and to the general public on the Internet, for at least 48 hours before its consideration. Amends Rule XXVIII (Conference Committee; Reports; Open Meetings) to make it out of order to consider a conference report unless it is available to all Members and the general public on the Internet for at least 48 hours before its consideration. Amends Rule XXIII (Privilege of the Floor) to deny floor privileges (except for ceremonial functions and events) to former Senators and Senators elect, Secretaries, Sergeants at Arms of the Senate, and Speakers of the House of Representatives if they: (1) are registered lobbyists or agents of a foreign principal; or (2) are in the employ of or represent any party or organization for the purpose of influencing, directly, or indirectly, the passage, defeat, or amendment of any legislative proposal. Amends Rule XXXV (Gifts) to exclude gifts from lobbyists or agents of a foreign principal from the gift ban exceptions. Requires a Member, officer, or employee, before accepting otherwise permissible transportation or lodging from any person other than a governmental entity, to obtain a written certification from such person that includes certain disclaimers regarding a registered lobbyist or foreign agent. Prescribes additional disclosure requirements, including certain information regarding noncommercial air travel. Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to require a publicly available report, in the case of a principal campaign committee of a federal candidate (other than one for President or Vice President), of any flight taken by the candidate on an aircraft not licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to operate for compensation or hire. Amends Rule XXXVII (Conflict of Interest) to impose a one-year lobbying moratorium, upon leaving such position, on any employee on the staff of a Member or on the staff of a committee meeting specified rate of pay and congressional employment criteria. Prohibits a Senator from directly negotiating or having any arrangement concerning prospective private employment until after the election for his or her successor has been held, unless public disclosure of such employment negotiations and arrangements is provided. Requires a Member to prohibit all of his or her staff from having any official contact with the Member's spouse or immediate family member if such individual is a registered lobbyist or is employed or retained by a registered lobbyist to influence legislation. Amends Rule XLIII (Representation by Members) to prohibit a Member, with the intent to influence on the basis of partisan political affiliation an employment decision or employment practice of any private entity, from: (1) taking or withholding, or offering or threatening to take or withhold, an official act; or (2) influencing, or offering or threatening to influence, the official act of another. Expresses the sense of the Senate that any applicable restrictions on congressional branch employees in this Act should apply to the executive and judicial branches. Prohibits a Member of Congress from receiving a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) if he or she voted for any amendment (or against tabling it) that provided that such adjustment would not be made. Specifies conditions under which the Majority and Minority Leaders of the Senate shall recognize a notice of intent of a member of their caucus to object to proceeding to a measure or matter. Lobbying Transparency and Accountability Act of 2007 - Amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (LDA) with respect to lobbying disclosures reports, including electronic filing and mandatory free availability to the public over the Internet. Increases the penalty for noncompliance with LDA disclosure requirements. Includes among lobbying activities any paid efforts to stimulate grassroots lobbying, but excludes grassroots lobbying itself. Amends the Foreign Agents Registration Act, with respect to foreign government lobbying registration statements and updates, including electronic filing and mandatory free availability to the public over the Internet. Requires the Comptroller General to audit annually lobbyist disclosure information. Requires the Select Committee on Ethics to provide certain ethics training and awareness programs for Senators and their staff. Expresses the sense of the Senate that the lobbying community should develop specified proposals for multiple self-regulatory organizations. Requires the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct and the Senate Select Committee on Ethics each to report annually on alleged ethics violations in its chamber. Amends the federal criminal code to extend from one to two years the ban on lobbying contacts by former very senior executive personnel, former Members of Congress, and officers of the legislative branch with any Member, officer, or employee of the entity in which such person served before his or her tenure terminated. Prohibits former employees of either chamber of Congress, within one year after leaving office, from making lobbying contacts with a Member, officer, or employee of either chamber. Exempts contacts with staff of the Secretary of the Senate or the Clerk of the House regarding compliance with LDA lobbying disclosure requirements. Amends the LDA to prohibit a registered lobbyist from knowingly making a gift or providing travel to a Member, officer, or employee of Congress, unless the gift or travel may be accepted under the rules of the House or the Senate. Subjects lobbyists to LDA penalties for violating this ban. Commission to Strengthen Confidence in Congress Act of 2007 - Establishes in the legislative branch the Commission to Strengthen Confidence in Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Prevention First Act - Title X Family Planning Services Act of 2007 - Authorizes appropriations for family planning services grants and contracts under the Public Health Service Act (PHSA). Equity in Prescription Insurance and Contraceptive Coverage Act of 2007 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and PHSA to prohibit a group health plan and a health insurance issuer providing group coverage from excluding or restricting benefits in any way for prescription contraceptive drugs, devices, and outpatient services if the plan or coverage provides benefits for other outpatient prescription drugs, devices, or outpatient services. Applies such prohibitions to coverage offered in the individual market. Emergency Contraception Education Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop and disseminate information on emergency contraception to the public and to health care providers. Compassionate Assistance for Rape Emergencies Act of 2007 - Requires hospitals, as a condition of receiving federal funds, to offer and to provide, upon request, emergency contraception to victims of sexual assault. At-Risk Communities Teen Pregnancy Prevention Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Secretary to award grants for teenage pregnancy prevention programs. Requires the Secretary to award grants for teenage pregnancy prevention research. Truth in Contraception Act of 2007 - Requires that any information concerning the use of a contraceptive provided through specified federally funded education programs be medically accurate and include health benefits and failure rates. Unintended Pregnancy Reduction Act of 2007 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to expand Medicaid's coverage of family planning services. Responsible Education About Life Act of 2007 - Requires the Secretary to make grants to states for family life education, including education on abstinence and contraception, to prevent teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to increase the federal minimum wage to: (1) $5.85 an hour, beginning on the 60th day after enactment of this Act; (2) $6.55 an hour, beginning 12 months after that 60th day; and (3) $7.25 an hour, beginning 24 months after that 60th day. Applies federal minimum wage requirements to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Sets forth a transition period during which a specified minimum wage in the Commonwealth shall be gradually increased to equal the federal minimum wage.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Telephone Excise Tax Repeal Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the excise tax on communication services (i.e., local telephone service, toll telephone service, and teletypewriter exchange service).
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
9/11 Heroes Health Improvement Act of 2007 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to award grants to eligible entities to provide medical and mental health monitoring, tracking, and treatment to individuals whose health has been directly impacted as a result of the attacks on New York City and at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. Includes as eligible individuals firefighters, police officers, paramedics, workers, volunteers, residents, and any other individual who worked at Ground Zero, Fresh Kills (recovery site on Staten Island), or the Pentagon or lived or worked in the vicinity of such areas, whose health has deteriorated as a result of the attacks, and who has been evaluated by a physician or mental health professional for 9/11-related health conditions and needs treatment for such conditions. Sets the order of priority for individuals covered under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Restoring Fiscal Discipline Act of 2007 - Makes it out of order in the Senate to consider any direct spending or revenue legislation that would increase or cause an on-budget deficit during certain specified time periods. Makes it out of order in the Senate to consider, under the expedited procedures applicable to reconciliation in the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (CBA), any bill, resolution, amendment, amendment between chambers, motion, or conference report that increases the deficit or reduces the surplus in the first fiscal year or the ensuing five or 10 fiscal years covered by the most recently adopted concurrent resolution on the budget. Makes it out of order in the Senate to consider, pursuant to CBA, any resolution, concurrent resolution, amendment, amendment between the chambers, motion, or conference report that contains reconciliation directives that would increase the deficit or reduce the surplus in such fiscal years.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Honors President Gerald Rudolph Ford and expresses appreciation for his service.
United States · United States Congress · 7 December 2006
National Energy Efficiency Development Act - Establishes the National Energy Efficiency Development Administration, headed by an Administrator who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the consent of the Senate, to develop energy-efficient technologies and reduce U.S. imports of oil by 50% by 2015. Establishes in the Administration: (1) a Policy Advisory Committee; (2) an Office of Administration (to include an Energy Efficiency Economics Division, an Education Division, and the position of General Counsel); (3) an Office of Policy, Research, and Development; and (4) an Office of Venture Capital. Authorizes the Administrator to solicit the development of energy-effcient technologies.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2006
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a surviving spouse to exclude from gross income up to $500,000 of the gain from the sale or exchange of a principal residence owned jointly with a deceased spouse if the sale or exchange occurs within two years of the death of the spouse and other ownership and use requirements have been met.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2006
Urges the Commandant of the Coast Guard to name an appropriate Coast Guard vessel after Petty Officer Third Class Nathan Bruckenthal.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2006
Iraq Reconstruction Accountability Act of 2006 - Amends the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 to change the date for termination of the Office of the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (Office). Provides that the Office shall terminate 10 months after 80% of the funds appropriated or made available for the Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund have been expended. Requires the Special Inspector General, prior to the termination date of the Office, to prepare a final forensic audit report on all funds appropriated or made available to the Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2006
9/11 Comprehensive Health Benefits Act of 2006 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for Medicare-based eligibility and benefits for individuals with a 9/11 disaster-connected health condition. Makes Medicare the secondary payor for 9/11-related coverage. Prohibits a workers' compensation law or plan from discriminating against an individual by virtue of the individual's entitlement to such benefits. Prohibits an employer from discriminating against an individual regarding hiring, advancement, compensation, or other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment by virtue of the individual's entitlement to such benefits. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a consortium to conduct and coordinate screening, monitoring, treatment, and diagnostic research on the 9/11 disaster-connected health conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2006
Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to eliminate institutions of higher education as eligible lenders under the Federal Family Education Loan program.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2006
Remember 9/11 Health Act - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to deem certain emergency service, rescue and recovery, and law enforcement personnel and transit and cleanup workers who responded to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York City, residents of and individuals employed or attending school, child care, or adult day care in the declared disaster area (eligible recipients) to be civil employees under provisions relating to: (1) compensation to federal employees for work injuries; and (2) claims relating to damage to, or loss of, personal property incident to federal service, except that such an eligible recipient shall not be responsible for the payment of any health care expenses that result from exposure to the adverse conditions after such attack. Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants or cooperative agreements to specified programs, including one established by the New York City Fire Department, to carry out screening and clinical examinations and long-term health monitoring and analysis for eligible recipients. Limits such monitoring to 20 years and 40,000 individuals. Requires the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to conduct or support diagnostic or treatment research for adverse health conditions considered to be associated with the terrorist attacks. Allows the Secretary to establish similar compensation and health programs for those affected by the September 11, 2001, Pentagon attack. Requires the Secretary to convene a 9/11 Health Emergency Coordinating Council to examine and formulate recommendations on the adequacy of the: (1) responses by the federal, state, and local governments and the private sector to the attacks; (2) care and compensation for the victims; (3) federal tracking of the monitoring and treatment of individuals suffering health effects from the attacks; and (4) coordination among the Council members to the attacks. Allows the Council, upon request, to issue advisory opinions on the relative obligation of the federal government and any insurance company resulting from the attacks.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2006
Rent-To-Own Reform Act of 2006 - Amends the Consumer Credit Protection Act to prohibit a seller in a rent-to-own transaction from receiving or assessing any interest, finance charge, or other fee for the transaction that exceeds the interest, fees, or finance charges permissible under the laws of the state in which the seller is located which establish: (1) a maximum rate or amount of interest, finance charge, or time-price differential that may be charged in connection with a credit sale or retail installment sale for the same or a similar item; (2) the types of fees and the maximum amount of fees that a seller may so charge; or (3) the types of credit insurance and the maximum amount of premiums that can be charged for credit insurance in such a connection. Permits certain additional termination charges and fees. Cites federal laws which are applicable to a rent-to-own transaction. Sets forth required disclosures, prohibitions, and enforcement, as well as civil liability for failure to properly disclose the terms of a rent-to-own transaction. Declares this Act inapplicable to certain motor vehicles sales and leases otherwise subject to the Truth in Lending Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2006
Access to Life-Saving Medicine Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish a process for the approval of a comparable biological product based on its similarity to a previously licensed biological product (the reference product). Allows a person to file an abbreviated comparable product application with the Secretary of Health and Human Services that includes: (1) data demonstrating that the product is comparable to the reference product; (2) information to show that the conditions or conditions of use prescribed, recommended, or suggested in the labeling proposed for the comparable product have been previously approved for the reference product; and (3) information to show that the route of administration, the dosage form, and the strength of the comparable product are the same as those of the reference product. Sets forth conditions for approval of such an application by the Secretary. Allows an applicant to request that the Secretary make a determination as to the interchangeability of a comparable product and the reference product. Provides market exclusivity to such an interchangeable product. Requires the Secretary to establish requirements for the efficient review, approval, suspension, and revocation of comparable biological product applications. Sets forth provisions governing patent infringement claims against the license holder of a comparable product.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2006
Kindergarten Plus Act of 2006 - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award competitive grants to state educational agencies (SEAs) to provide Kindergarten Plus (K+) programs of voluntary full days of kindergarten during the summer before and the summer after the traditional kindergarten school year determined by the state. Directs the Secretary to ensure, to the extent possible, that each such grant is of sufficient size to enable the SEA to provide K+ to all eligible students served by the local educational agencies (LEAs) within the state with the highest concentrations of eligible students. Makes eligible students those children who are: (1) five-years old or who will be eligible to attend kindergarten at the beginning of the next school year; (2) from a family with an income at or below 185% of the poverty line; and (3) not already served by a high-quality program in the summer before or the summer after the child enters kindergarten. Requires SEAs, in awarding subgrants, to give priority to LEAs that: (1) serve the greatest number or percentage of eligible students; and (2) propose to reduce class size and student-to-teacher ratios in K+ significantly below the average ratios in regular kindergarten classes served by the LEA. Provides for direct grants to LEAs in states that do not apply for grants. Sets forth K+ teacher and personnel quality standards.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2006
Designates the week of October 23-October 27, 2006, as National Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2006
Emergency Farm Relief Act of 2006 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide financial assistance for: (1) crop disaster assistance for qualifying quantity or quality losses for the 2005 or 2006 crop due to weather or related conditions (including disease, insects, and delayed harvest; (2) livestock assistance for 2005 and 2006 disaster-caused losses; (3) livestock indemnity payments for 2005 and 2006 disaster-caused losses (including wildfires, hurricanes, floods, and anthrax); (4) ewe lamb replacement and retention; (5) sugar beet disaster assistance for crop year 2005; (6) sugarcane growers in Hawaii through a payment to an agricultural transportation cooperative in Hawaii; (7) flooded crop and grazing land in the Devils Lake basin, the McHugh, Lake Laretta, and Rose Lake closed drainage areas, North Dakota; and (8) bovine tuberculosis indemnification. Directs the Secretary to make grants to state agriculture departments or comparable agencies in qualified states for direct economic loss payments to eligible small businesses. Directs the Secretary to use specified funds to carry out emergency measures under: (1) the emergency watershed protection program; (2) the emergency conservation program, including wildfire recovery efforts; and (3) the environmental quality incentives program, including wildfire recovery efforts. Directs the Secretary to use specified funds to hire additional state and county Farm Service Agency personnel to expedite the delivery of agricultural disaster and economic assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2006
Commends New York State Senator John J. Marchi for his 50-year tenure in the New York State Senate, on becoming the longest serving state legislator in the United States, and on his lifelong commitment to the citizens of Staten Island and New York.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2006
Authorizes appropriations for FY2007 to carry out title XXVI of the Public Health Service Act (popularly known as the Ryan White Care Act). Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in determining the amounts of formula grants for FY2007, from using a methodology for counting the number of AIDS or HIV cases that is different than the methodology used by the Secretary for FY2006.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2006
Flight 800 Improvement Act of 2006 - Directs the Federal Aviation Administration to: (1) finalize and implement, not later than January 1, 2007, a proposed rule relating to the reduction of fuel tank flammability in transport category airplanes; and (2) study and report on ways to improve the safety and reduce the flammability of fuel tanks located on airplane wings. Authorizes the Administrator to provide matching funds to airplane operators and manufacturers for complying with such rule.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2006
9/11 Heroes Health Improvement Act of 2006 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to award grants to eligible entities to provide medical and mental health monitoring, tracking, and treatment to individuals whose health has been directly impacted as a result of the attacks on New York City and at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. Includes as eligible individuals firefighters, police officers, paramedics, workers, volunteers, residents, and any other individual who worked at Ground Zero, Fresh Kills (recovery site on Staten Island), or the Pentagon or lived or worked in the vicinity of such areas, whose health has deteriorated as a result of the attacks, and who has been evaluated by a physician or mental health professional for 9/11-related health conditions and needs treatment for such conditions. Sets the order of priority for individuals covered under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 2006
Smoke Free Mothers and Babies Act of 2006 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require coverage, without cost-sharing, of counseling and pharmacotherapy for cessation of tobacco use by pregnant women. Provides for an increased federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) for tobacco cessation counseling services and medications.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 2006
Expresses support for the goals of Red Ribbon Week. Encourages: (1) children and teens to live drug-free lives; and (2) people to promote the creation of drug-free communities and to participate in drug prevention activities.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2006
Supports the goals and ideals of "Lights On Afterschool!," a national celebration of after-school programs.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2006
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase from $16,000 to $30,000 the adjusted gross income limitation applicable to qualified performing artists who are eligible to deduct their performance expenses from gross income (above-the-line tax deduction). Provides for an inflation adjustment to such increased income limitation beginning in 2011.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2006
James Zadroga Act of 2006 - Amends the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 (Fund), part of the Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act, to extend the current December 22, 2003, deadline for filing claims under the Fund for five years following enactment of this Act if the Special Master determines that the individual: (1) was unaware that he or she had suffered physical harm as the result of the September 11, 2001, terrorist-related aircraft crashes until after the deadline and before enactment of this Act; (2) was unaware of his or her eligibility to file a claim until after December 22, 2003; (3) suffered psychological harm as a result of the crashes; or (4) in the case of an individual who had previously filed a claim, suffered a significantly greater physical harm than was known to the individual as of the date the claim was filed, but did not know its full extent until after the claim was filed and before enactment of this Act. Allows the filing of a claim also during the five years after the individual first knew that he or she had suffered physical or psychological harm as the result of such crashes, if he or she did not know that until on or after enactment of this Act. Extends the same five-year filing allowance to anyone who did not know the full extent of the harm suffered until on or after the enactment of this Act, even though he or she had previously filed a claim and had suffered a significantly greater physical or psychological harm than was known to the individual as of the date the claim was filed. Waives the single claim requirement in such circumstances. Makes a claimant eligible for compensation based on the psychological harm suffered as a result of the crashes. Defines "immediate aftermath" for compensation eligibility purposes as any period of time after the crashes that was sufficiently close in time to them that there was a demonstrable risk to the claimant of resulting physical or psychological harm, including the period of time during which related rescue, recovery, and cleanup activities were conducted.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 2006
Commemorates the life of each individual who died as a result of the attacks of September 11, 2001. Extends deepest condolences to the victims, as well as to their families, friends, and loved ones. Condemns the attacks, the terrorists who perpetrated them, and their sponsors. Commits to support the necessary steps to defeat terrorists who plot to harm the American people. Recommits the Senate and the Nation to bringing the perpetrators of the attacks and their sponsors to justice. Honors members of the Armed Forces, law enforcement personnel, first responders, members of the intelligence community, and others who have bravely participated in the War on Terrorism since September 11, 2001. Declares September 11, 2006, to be a National Day of Remembrance, in commemoration of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks against the United States. Declares that when the Senate adjourns today (September 11, 2006), it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to each individual who died as a result of the attacks of September 11, 2001.