United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2003
Declares that the Federal Trade Commission is authorized under the Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act to compile and implement a national do-not-call registry. Ratifies the do-not-call registry provision of the Telemarketing Sales Rule promulgated by the Federal Trade Commission, effective March 31, 2003.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 2003
Agricultural Job Opportunity, Benefits, and Security Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security, upon completion of specified agricultural work and residency requirements, to adjust the status of a qualifying alien agricultural worker (and spouse and minor children) to that of a: (1) lawfully admitted temporary nonimmigrant; and (2) permanent resident nonimmigrant. Sets forth provisions with respect to: (1) adjustment of status applications, including penalties for false statements; (2) waiver of numerical limitations and certain grounds for inadmissibility; (3) temporary stay of removal and work authorization; (4) administrative and judicial review; and (5) dissemination of program information. Amends the Social Security Act to provide for the correction of such aliens' social security records. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to set forth registry application requirements for H-2A employers and employer associations, including assurances: (1) that the job opportunity is temporary or seasonal, and is not the result of a labor dispute, (2) that attempts have been made to hire U.S. workers; and (3) respecting required wages and benefits, and compliance with labor laws. Sets forth employment requirements with respect to: (1) wages; (2) housing; and (3) transportation reimbursement. Establishes the Commission on Agricultural Wage Standards under the H-2A program. Revises provisions respecting the admission and extension of stay of temporary H-2A workers. Provides special rules for alien sheepherders. Sets forth worker protection and labor standards enforcement provisions for such aliens
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2003
Calling for 2-1-1 Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to award a grant to each State to carry out a program for making available throughout that State the 2-1-1 telephone service for information and referral on human services. Requires a participating State to ensure that at least 50 percent of the resources of the program funded by the grant will be derived from other sources. Requires a State seeking a grant to carry out its activities through a lead entity to be known as a 2-1-1 Collaborative. Requires grant amounts to be used solely to make available to a State 2-1-1 telephone service for community information and referral on human services, including telephone connections between families and individuals seeking services and the service providers. Requires grant recipients to: (1) abide by the Key Standards for 2-1-1 Centers; and (2) collaborate with human service organizations to provide an exhaustive database of services with which to provide information or referral to individuals utilizing the 2-1-1 service.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2003
Women's Pension Protection Act of 2003 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to require the spouse's consent for distributions from defined contribution plans (DCPs, which include individual account plans such as 401(k) plans). (Current law only requires such consent in the case of defined benefit plans). Applies joint and survivor annuity rules to DCPs. Prescribes requirements for division of pension benefits upon divorce. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue regulations relating to the time and order of issuance of qualified domestic relations orders. Provides for treatment of former spouses as surviving spouses in certain cases. Revises requirements for joint and survivor annuities. Requires pension plans to offer participants the option of a qualified joint and 3/4 survivor annuity (as an alternative to the current qualified joint and survivor annuity). Amends Federal law relating to the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) to provide for a survivor annuity to widows, widowers, and certain former spouses of Federal employees who die after having separated from the service with title to a deferred annuity under CSRS, but before attaining the age for such annuity under it (on the same basis as is currently provided to certain survivors of former Members of Congress). Revises CSRS and Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) requirements for court orders relating to Federal employee retirement benefits for former spouses. Revises the order of precedence for disposition of remaining amounts in thrift savings accounts. Amends the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 to: (1) entitle divorced spouses to railroad retirement annuities independent of the actual entitlement of the employees; and (2) extend the payment of any portion of Tier II railroad retirement benefits to surviving former spouses pursuant to divorce agreements.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 2003
United States Independent Film and Television Production Incentive Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish an annual tax credit for 25 percent of up to the first $25,000 of qualified wages paid or incurred per qualified U.S. independent film and television production.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 2003
Recognizes September 11 as both a day to remember those killed and a day for recommitment to our national purpose. Extends sympathies to the victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and their families and friends. Honors the heroic actions of first responders, law enforcement personnel, and others who aided the victims. Extends gratitude to the members of the armed forces who are defending the United States from future attack. Praises the people of the United States for donating time and money to support the victims and their families and friends. Expresses gratitude to the leaders and citizens of all nations who have assisted and continue to stand in solidarity with the United States against terrorism. Reaffirms that the Senate will honor the memory of those who lost their lives as a result of those attacks and will act to defend U.S. citizens in all future challenges.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 2003
Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on the passenger rail transportation security programs in Japan, members of the European Union, and other foreign countries in order to identify effective rail transportation security measures in use in their rail transportation systems, including innovative measures and screening procedures determined effective.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 2003
Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to: (1) study and report to specified congressional committees on the cost and feasibility of requiring security screening for all passengers, baggage, and mail, express, and other cargo on Amtrak trains; and (2) as part of such study conduct a pilot program of random security screening of passengers and baggage at five of the ten busiest passenger rail stations served by Amtrak and at up to five additional geographically distributed rail stations served by Amtrak.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 2003
Homestead Preservation Act - Directs the Secretary of Labor to establish a program of low-interest loan (residential) mortgage assistance to eligible persons who are separated from their employment. Limits assistance to 12 months, and requires repayment within five years.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 2003
Supports the Secretary of the Treasury's work with regard to discussions with the Government of the People's Republic of China leading to a market-based valuation of the yuan. Encourages the People's Republic of China to continue to act on its commitments to the trade rules and principles of the international community of which it is now a member.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2003
Real Estate Investment Trust Improvement Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise real estate investment trust (REIT) provisions respecting: (1) straight debt safe harbor; (2) limited rental exception; (3) customary services exception; (4) hedging instruments; (5) prohibited transaction safe harbor; (6) distributions attributable to gain from sales or exchanges of U.S. real property interests; and (7) rules of application for asset requirements and limitations.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2003
Legal Services Benefit Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to restore, increase, and make permanent the exclusion from gross income for amounts received under qualified group legal services plans.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2003
Chief Justice John Marshall Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue not more than 400,000 silver one dollar coins emblematic of Chief Justice John Marshall and his contributions to the United States in commemoration of the 250th anniversary of his birth. Directs that all sales of coins minted under this Act include a ten dollar per coin surcharge, to be paid by the Secretary to the Supreme Court Historical Society for purposes of: (1) historical research about the Supreme Court, the Constitution, and related topics; (2) supporting fellowship programs, internships, and docents at the Supreme Court; and (3) collecting and preserving related antiques, artifacts, and other historical items.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2003
National Clean and Safe Water Fund Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to establish a National Clean and Sage Water Fund to carry out water quality projects. Grants priority to projects located in a watershed in a State where there has been a violation of that Act or the Safe Drinking Water Act. Permits the use of civil penalties assessed under that Act or the Safe Drinking Water Act to be used for these remedial projects.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2003
Congratulates Lance Armstrong and the United States Postal Service Team on their victory in the 2003 Tour de France. Commends the unwavering commitment to cancer awareness and survivorship demonstrated by Armstrong.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2003
American Rail Equity Act of 2003 - Amends Federal transportation law to establish a National Passenger Rail Office in the Federal Transit Administration of the Department of Transportation to carry out specified responsibilities for the national passenger railroad system. Includes within such system: (1) the segment of the Northeast Corridor (NEC) between Boston, Massachusetts, and Washington, D.C.; (2) designated high-speed rail corridors; (3) long-distance routes of more than 750 miles between endpoints currently operated by the National Passenger Rail Corporation (Amtrak); and (4) short-distance corridors or routes operated by Amtrak. Declares that Amtrak shall not be required to be operated or managed as a for-profit corporation. Limits the responsibility of Amtrak to operations relating to the provision of intercity and commuter rail passenger transportation, the transportation of mail and express, auto-ferry transportation, related marketing, and facilities for the maintenance of necessary rolling stock. Requires the Office to determine whether each Amtrak route met its 80 percent on-time performance goal during the most recent performance period. Prohibits the Office from discontinuing an Amtrak route unless Amtrak failed to meet its on-time performance goal for such route in three out of the immediately preceeding five years.Declares that Amtrak shall forfeit to the Office the right to provide passenger rail transportation on any route on which Amtrak failed to meet its goal during the most recent performance period. Requires the Office to lease such forfeited right to an appropriate person or entity. Requires the Office on a quarterly basis to identify advisable rail infrastructure improvement projects, and make grants for such projects. Provides for high-speed corridor planning and grants to assist States or compacts of States to establish corridors for high-speed rail service. Establishes a non-profit non-governmental Rail Infrastructure Finance Corporation to provide financial support, through issuance of qualified rail infrastructure bonds, for rail transportation capital projects. Authorizes the Board of the Finance Corporation to make grants to States, compacts of States, or Amtrak for intercity passenger rail capital projects. Limits the total amount of such grants for the NEC to 25 percent of the total amount available. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit to holders of qualified rail infrastructure bonds. Amends Federal transportation law to authorize each State to prepare a rail plan that: (1) sets forth State policy for all freight and passenger rail transportation, including commuter rail operations; and (2) establishes or designates a State rail transportation authority to prepare and administer the plan, as well as a State rail plan approval authority to approve it, subject to the Secretary's approval. Authorizes the Secretary to designate high priority freight and passenger rail capital projects included in a State rail plan that focus on key rail congestion points selected on the basis of national benefits to the rail transportation system, and coordinated with the national rail plan.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2003
Calls for the President to designate the week of November 9-15, 2003, as National Veterans Awareness Week to emphasize educational programs for elementary and secondary school students regarding the contributions and sacrifices of veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2003
Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to carry out, under the River and Harbor Act of 1968, a project for the mitigation of shore damage attributable to the project for navigation, Saco River, Maine, without regard to the requirement for congressional authorization set forth in that Act. Authorizes the Secretary to implement the project plan preferred by non-Federal interests.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2003
Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to provide for a phased elimination of the nontherapeutic use in food-producing animals of critical antimicrobial animal drugs. Defines "critical antimicrobial animal drug" and "nontherapeutic use." Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to make payments to livestock or poultry producers to defray the costs of reducing such drugs' use, with priority given to family-owned or small farms and ranches. Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary to provide grants for university research and demonstration programs to phase out the nontherapeutic use of critical antimicrobial animal drugs in livestock or poultry. Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require manufacturers of a critical antimicrobial animal drug or an animal feed for food-producing animals containing such a drug to report annual sales information.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2003
Designates the month of September 2003 as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Declares that the Federal Government has a responsibility to: (1) raise awareness about the importance of screening methods and treatment of prostate cancer; (2) increase research funding that is commensurate with the burden of the disease so that the causes of, and improved screening, treatments, and a cure for, prostate cancer may be discovered; and (3) continue to consider ways for improving access to, and the quality of, health care services for detecting and treating prostate cancer. Requests the President to call upon Americans, interested groups, and affected persons to promote awareness of prostate cancer, to take an active role in ending the devastating effects of prostate cancer on individuals, their families, and the economy, and to observe the month of September 2003 with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2003
Commonsense Consumption Act of 2003 - Declares that a qualified civil liability action may not be brought in any Federal or State court, and that any pending qualified civil liability action shall be dismissed immediately by the relevant court. Defines a qualified civil liability action as a civil action brought by any person against a manufacturer or seller of a food, or a trade association, for damages or injunctive relief based on a claim of injury resulting from weight gain or obesity. Specifies actions which shall not count as qualified civil liability actions, including an action regarding the sale of a food which is adulterated.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2003
Family Planning State Empowerment Act of 2003 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to give States the option to elect to: (1) make available family planning services and supplies furnished to eligible individuals of child-bearing age to any individual whose family income does not exceed the greater of 185 percent of the income official poverty line applicable to a family of the size involved or the specified eligibility income level; and (2) extend the postpartum period for provision of family planning services and supplies.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2003
Disapproves the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission and received by Congress on July 10, 2003, relating to broadcast media ownership.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 2003
Ocean Observation and Coastal Systems Act - Directs the President, through the National Ocean Research Leadership Council (NORLC), to establish and maintain an integrated ocean and coastal observing system (system) of marine monitoring, data communication and management, data analysis, and research to provide data and information for rapid and timely detection and prediction of changes occurring in the marine environment that impact the Nation's social, economic, and ecological systems. Establishes an Interagency Planning Office (IPO) within NORLC with various functions. Directs the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to report to NORLC and to maintain a Joint Operations Center (JOC) with specified authority. Sets forth system elements and requires subsystem linkages. Requires the system to integrate the capabilities of the Coast Services Center and the National Coastal Data Development Center of NOAA, and other appropriate centers. Requires the research and development program for the system to be conducted under the National Oceanographic Partnership Program (NOPP) and consist of specified elements. Directs NOAA Administrator, through JOC, to work with representatives of entities in each region that provide ocean data and information to users to form regional associations to develop and operate observing systems in the coastal regions extending to the seaward boundary of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone, including the Great Lakes. Directs NOAA, through IPO, to initiate pilot projects, including infrastructure capital projects, through NOPP. Provides for interagency funding, and authorizes appropriations, for the system under this Act to the following departments and agencies represented on the NORLC: (1) NOAA; (2) the National Science Foundation; (3) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; (4) the U.S. Coast Guard; (5) the Office of Naval Research; (6) the Office of the Oceanographer of the Navy; and (7) other Federal agencies engaged in ocean and coastal-related activities.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 2003
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Authorization Act of 2003 - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008 to the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), including specified activities of: (1) the National Weather Service; (2) the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research; (3) the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service; (4) the National Ocean Service; (5) the National Marine Fisheries Service; (6) the Office of Program Planning and Integration; (7) NOAA program support; and (8) the Office of Marine and Aviation Operations. Sets forth duties and authorities of the NOAA Administrator with respect to: (1) a business management fund; (2) an external research program; (3) hydrographic service volunteers; (4) an Office of Education; and (5) numbers of NOAA corps officers.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2003
Equity in Prescription Insurance and Contraceptive Coverage Act of 2003 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Public Health Service Act to prohibit a group health plan, and a health insurance issuer providing group coverage, from: (1) excluding or restricting benefits for prescription contraceptive drugs, devices, and outpatient services if the plan provides benefits for other outpatient prescription drugs, devices, or outpatient services; (2) denying eligibility based on use or potential use of such items or services; (3) providing monetary payments or rebates to a covered individual to encourage acceptance of less than the minimum protections available; (4) penalizing, reducing, or limiting a professional's reimbursement because the professional prescribed such drugs or devices or provided such services; or (5) providing incentives to a professional to induce the professional to withhold drugs, devices, or services. Amends the Public Health Service Act to apply those prohibitions to coverage offered in the individual market.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2003
American Veterans Disabled for Life Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue not more than 500,000 one dollar silver coins in commemoration of disabled American veterans, which shall be emblematic of the design selected by the Disabled Veterans' LIFE Memorial Foundation for the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial. Requires: (1) all sales of the coins to include a ten dollar per coin surcharge; and (2) the surcharges received to be paid to the Foundation to establish an endowment to support the construction of an American Veterans' Disabled for Life Memorial in Washington, D.C.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2003
Reforestation Tax Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction to a taxpayer who has a qualified timber gain in an amount equal to the qualified percentage of such gain. Allows a deduction, for qualified timber property, for reforestation expenditures and terminates current provisions allowing for the amortization of such expenditures. Provides for the application of passive activity loss limitations to timber activity of an individual who is a member of a closely held entity if management of such activity is less than 100 hours annually.
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 2003
Small Business Administration 50th Anniversary Reauthorization Act of 2003 - Amends the Small Business Act to authorize appropriations for FY 2004 through 2006 for small business loans administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA). Extends related programs, including the drug-free workplace program and the small business development centers program. Revises or establishes authority with respect to the following SBA-administered programs and offices: (1) general small business loans; (2) the preferred lenders pilot program; (3) the microloan program; (4) lender oversight; (5) the disaster assistance loan program; (6) the 504 (premier certified lenders) loan program; (7) the child care lending pilot program; (8) the surety bond program; (9) a pilot program for guarantees on pools of non-SBA loans; (10) the new markets venture capital program; (11) the small business investment company program; (12) the Office of Entrepreneurial Development; (13) the small business development center program; (14) women's small business ownership programs, including the women's business center program; (15) the Office of Native American Affairs, the Native American small business development program, and related pilot programs; (16) the Office of Veterans Business Development; (17) small business procurement and participation in Federal prime contracts and subcontracts; and (18) the minority small business and capital ownership development program. Requires a study to identify industries in which small businesses owned and controlled by women are underrepresented with respect to Federal procurement contracting.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2003
Authorizes the President to present, on behalf of Congress, a gold medal to Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr. (posthumously) and his widow Coretta Scott King in recognition of their service to the Nation.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2003
Expresses the condolences of the Senate on the death of the Honorable J. Strom Thurmond, former Senator and President Pro Tempore Emeritus from South Carolina.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2003
Ferry Transportation Enhancement Act - Amends the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 to authorize appropriations for FY 2004 through 2009 for construction of ferry boats and ferry terminal facilities. Amends Federal highway law to make ferry maintenance (currently, only terminal) facilities eligible for Federal funding. Amends Federal transportation law to include ferries within the Federal clean fuels program. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) establish a Ferry Joint Program Office to coordinate Federal programs affecting ferry boat and facility construction, maintenance, and operation, and to promote ferry service as a component of the Nation's transportation system; (2) maintain a national ferry database containing ferry routes, vessels, passengers and vehicles carried, funding sources, and related information; and (3) make grants to an institution of higher education to establish a National Ferry Transportation Institute for research, development, training programs, etc. relating to U.S. ferry transportation systems.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2003
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit rural mail carriers to treat qualified vehicle expenses in excess of reimbursements as miscellaneous itemized deductions.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2003
Establishes a position of Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Manufacturing in the Department of Commerce (to be appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate) who shall: (1) represent the interests of the manufacturing sector; (2) aid in the development of policies that promote the expansion of that sector; (3) review policies that may adversely impact that sector; and (4) submit annual reports that contain an overview of the state of the U.S. manufacturing sector, a forecast of its future, and an analysis of significant laws, regulations, and policies that adversely impact it.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2003
Women's Health Office Act of 2003 - Amends the Public Health Service Act, the Social Security Act, and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require the establishment of separate Offices on Women's Health within the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Office of the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Office of the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, and the Office of the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration to carry out specified activities relating to the health of women. Directs the lead officers of each Office of Women's Health to establish goals, provide information, serve as a consultant, and establish a Coordinating Committee on Women's Health within their respective agencies. Requires the Director of the Agency of Healthcare Research and Quality to designate an official of the Office of Priority Populations to carry out similar responsibilities relating to women's health. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Office of Women's Health, to establish a National Women's Health Information Center to facilitate the exchange of information, access to such information, and the analysis of issues and problems relating to women's health. Transfers the functions of the Office on Women's Health of the Public Health Service to the Office of Women's Health within the Department of Health and Human Services.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2003
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the treatment of motor vehicle dealer transitional assistance with respect to a motor vehicle dealer who was a party to a motor vehicle sales and service agreement with a motor vehicle manufacturer who announced in December 2000 that it would phase-out the motor vehicle brand to which such agreement relates.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2003
Downed Animal Protection Act - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to promulgate regulations to provide for the humane treatment, handling, and disposition of nonambulatory livestock by a covered entity, including a requirement that nonambulatory livestock be humanely euthanized. Provides that an entity shall: (1) not move nonambulatory livestock while such livestock is conscious; and (2) humanely euthanize such livestock. Prohibits an establishment covered by the Federal Meat Inspection Act to pass nonambulatory livestock through inspection. Defines "covered entity," and "humanely euthanize."
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2003
Trade Readjustment and Development Enhancement for America's Communities Act of 2003 - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to require the Secretary of Commerce to: (1) provide leadership, support, and coordination for a comprehensive management program to address economic dislocation in eligible communities; (2) coordinate the Federal response, and provide technical assistance, to eligible communities; (3) establish specific criteria for submission and evaluation of strategic plans; (4) administer grant programs established by this Act; (5) establish an interagency Community Trade Readjustment and Development Enhancement Working Group to examine other options for addressing trade impacts on communities; and (6) determine if a community that files an application is negatively impacted by trade and, if so, to certify the community as eligible for assistance. Sets forth: (1) criteria for making that determination; and (2) priorities in making grants, with preference to rural communities. Repeals the continued dumping and subsidy offset program (under which sums are distributed to affected domestic producers). Establishes the Community Trade Readjustment and Development Enhancement Trust Fund, which shall be available for the payment of readjustment assistance to communities.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2003
Strengthen AmeriCorps Program Act - Revises the manner in which the Corporation for National and Community Service approves, and records obligations relating to, national service positions under the National and Community Service Act of 1990 and the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2003
Authorizes the President to present to Dr. Dorothy Height (President of the National Council of Negro Women) a congressional gold medal in recognition of her many contributions to the Nation.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2003
Women's Business Centers Preservation Act of 2003 - Amends the Small Business Act to increase from 30.2 to 36 the percentage of funds authorized for FY 2003 for the Women's Business Centers program that must be used for a sustainability pilot program under which the Small Business Administration awards grants to private nonprofit organizations for providing counseling, training, and other business assistance to women entrepreneurs.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2003
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) at the 55th Annual Meeting of the International Whaling Commission the United States should remain firmly opposed to commercial whaling, and take other specified related steps; (2) at the 13th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, the United States should oppose all efforts to reopen international trade in whale meat or to downlist any whale population; and (3) the United States should make full use of all appropriate diplomatic mechanisms, relevant international laws and agreements, and other appropriate mechanisms to implement these goals. Urges the United States to take appropriate steps to convince foreign countries whose nationals are engaging in trade in whale meat or a taking which diminishes the effectiveness of the Convention to cease such trade or taking.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2003
Prescription Drug and Medicare Improvement Act of 2003 - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Congress should enact, and the President should sign, legislation to amend title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to make improvements in the Medicare program and to provide prescription drug coverage under the Medicare program.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2003
Reaffirms support for the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Anticipates the commemoration of the 15th anniversary of the enactment of the Genocide Convention Implementation Act of 1987 on November 4, 2003. Encourages the people and Government of the United States to rededicate themselves to ending genocide.
![Official portrait of Sen. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s000663_200.jpg)