United States · United States Congress · 7 September 2006
National Security Surveillance Act of 2006 - Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (the Act) to establish a new title relating to electronic surveillance. Gives the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (Court) (established under the Act) jurisdiction to review U.S. electronic surveillance programs (programs) that seek to obtain foreign intelligence information or to protect against international terrorism. Allows the Court to issue an order that authorizes a program for up to 90 days. Provides for congressional oversight of approved programs. Prohibits any provision of the Act from being construed to limit the constitutional authority of the President to collect intelligence with respect to foreign powers and agents thereof. Revises generally provisions of the Act concerning electronic surveillance authorizations obtained without a court order, including certification by the Attorney General, reports to congressional committees, duties and compensation of common carriers required to perform, or make equipment available for, such surveillance, and application requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 7 September 2006
States that specified chapters of the federal criminal code relating to electronic surveillance and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) shall provide the exclusive means by which domestic electronic surveillance may be conducted. Prohibits any modification or repeal of any provisions of title I (Electronic Surveillance) of FISA without an express legislative directive. Directs the President to brief each member of the congressional intelligence committees on the Terrorist Surveillance Program of the National Security Agency (NSA) and certain other surveillance programs. Amends FISA to extend the period allowed for emergency electronic surveillance without a court order. Authorizes the Attorney General to delegate the authority to approve an application for electronic surveillance and to appoint certain personnel in the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the NSA to authorize emergency surveillance in the United States. Authorizes the appointment of additional judges to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court. Directs the Attorney General to develop and implement a classified document management system to process electronic surveillance applications. Expands the authority of the President to authorize wartime electronic surveillance without a court order. Permits electronic surveillance without a court order of communications between individuals outside of the United States under certain circumstances.
United States · United States Congress · 7 September 2006
Condemns the government of Sudan's: (1) military offensive in Darfur in violation of the terms of the Darfur Peace Agreement (2006) and the N'Djamena cease-fire accord (2004); and (2) rejection of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1706 (2006). Commends the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) for its monitoring of the N'djamena cease-fire agreement and encourages the African Union (AU) to leave the AMIS force in place until a U.N. peacekeeping mission is deployed to Darfur. Calls upon the government of Sudan to: (1) cease its military offensive in Darfur; and (2) comply with the deployment of U.N. peacekeepers to Darfur. Calls upon the United Nations to: (1) deploy as quickly as practicable well trained and equipped peacekeeping troops as authorized by Security Council Resolution 1706; and (2) begin considerations of sanctions as called for by Security Council Resolution 1556 (2004) and Security Council Resolution 1564 (2004). Urges the President to help improve the security situation in Darfur by: (1) pursuing the imposition of a "no-fly zone" in Darfur in cooperation with the United Nations, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), or NATO allies; (2) garnering support for NATO assistance with the AU handover of AMIS to the United Nations; (3) obtaining the support of China, Russia, and U.S. allies in the Arab League to secure Sudan's compliance with U.N. peacekeeper deployment; (4) supporting full funding for the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Sudan; (5) securing U.N. member state support for a special session on Sudan in the U.N. Human Rights Council; and (6) appointing a Special Envoy to Sudan to head the Office of the Presidential Special Envoy. Urges the international community to: (1) support the deployment of U.N. peacekeepers to Darfur financially, with logistical and equipment support, or through troop contributions; (2) fulfill financial obligations to U.N. and international humanitarian aid agencies for responding to the crisis in Darfur or addressing humanitarian needs throughout Sudan; (3) impose targeted sanctions against members of the National Congress Party responsible for human rights violations, war crimes, and crimes against humanity; and (4) impose sanctions consistent with Security Council Resolutions 1556 and 1564.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2006
Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award a grant to the University of Hawaii Academy for Creative Media for the establishment, maintenance, and periodic modernization of the Henry Kuualoha Giugni Kupuna Memorial Archives at the University of Hawaii. Requires the Archives to use grant funds for: (1) facilities and equipment to house and provide computer and web access to a repository of Native Hawaiian historical data; (2) scholarships to assist disadvantaged students in attending college; (3) the creation of educational materials from the archives that are applicable to a broad range of indigenous students; (4) outreach to elementary and secondary school students; (5) teacher training, so that the teaching of kindergarten through grade 12 students is culturally congruent with the learning modalities of such students, particularly indigenous students; and (6) the enhancement of the economic and financial literacy of college students.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2006
Designates September 2006 as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Declares that it is critical to: (1) raise awareness about prostate cancer screening and treatment; (2) increase funding for prostate cancer research; and (3) improve access to and the quality of health care services for detecting and treating prostate cancer.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2006
Victim-Activated Landmine Abolition Act of 2006 - Expresses the sense of Congress that the government should continue to set an example for other countries by banning procurement of victim-activated landmines and other weapons designed to be victim-activated. Prohibits the federal government from procuring such landmines or weapons in any circumstance.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2006
Presidential Signing Statements Act of 2006 - Prohibits any state or federal court from relying on or deferring to a presidential signing statement as a source of authority when determining the meaning of any Act of Congress. Provides that: (1) any U.S. court, upon the filing of an appropriate pleading by the Senate, through its Office of Senate Legal Counsel, and/or the House of Representatives, through its Office of General Counsel, may declare the legality of any presidential signing statement, whether or not further relief is or could be sought; and (2) any such declaration shall have the force and effect of a final judgment or decree and shall be reviewable as such. Amends federal law to provide for congressional intervention in any action, suit, or proceeding in the Supreme Court involving the construction or constitutionality of any Act of Congress for which a presidential signing statement was issued, including passage of a concurrent resolution declaring the view of Congress on the proper interpretation of the Act at issue.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2006
Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail Designation Act - Amends the National Trails System Act to designate a corridor of approximately 600 miles following the route taken by the armies of General George Washington and Count Rochambeau between Newport, Rhode Island, and Yorktown, Virginia, in 1781 and 1782, as the "Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail."
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2006
Railroad Retirement Technical Improvement Act of 2006 - Amends the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 to repeal a provision requiring the Railroad Retirement Board to enter into an arrangement with a nongovernmental financial institution to serve as disbursing agent for annuity and death benefits. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to serve as the disbursing agent for such benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2006
Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2007 - Makes appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies for FY2007. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds and transfers of funds. Department of Labor Appropriations Act, 2007 - Makes appropriations for FY2007 to the Department of Labor, including: (1) the Employment and Training Administration; (2) the Employee Benefits Security Administration; (3) the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation; (4) the Employment Standards Administration; (5) the Occupational Safety and Health Administration; (6) the Mine Safety and Health Administration; (7) the Bureau of Labor Statistics; (8) the Office of Disability Employment Policy; (9) the Office of Job Corps; and (10) the Office of Inspector General. Department of Health and Human Services Appropriations Act, 2007 - Makes appropriations for FY2007 to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), including: (1) the Health Resources and Services Administration; (2) the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); (3) the National Institutes of Health (NIH); (4) the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; (5) the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; (6) the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; (7) the Administration for Children and Families; (8) the Administration on Aging; (9) the Office of the Secretary for general departmental management; (10) the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology; (11) the Office of Inspector General; and (12) the Office for Civil Rights. Department of Education Appropriations Act, 2007 - Makes appropriations for FY2007 to the Department of Education, including: (1) the Institute of Education Sciences; (2) the Office for Civil Rights; and (3) the Office of the Inspector General. Makes appropriations for FY2007 for: (1) the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled; (2) the Corporation for National and Community Service; (3) the Corporation for Public Broadcasting; (4) the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service; (5) the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission; (6) the Institute of Museum and Library Services; (7) the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission; (8) the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science; (9) the National Council on Disability; (10) the National Labor Relations Board; (11) the National Mediation Board; (12) the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission; (13) the Railroad Retirement Board; and (14) the Social Security Administration.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2006
Medicare Prescription Drug Lifeline Act of 2006 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a process under which an individual may terminate enrollment in the prescription drug plan or the Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MA-PD) Plan in which he or she is enrolled and enroll in any prescription drug plan or MA-PD Plan serving the area where the individual resides that provides some coverage of covered part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) drugs after the individual has reached the initial coverage limit but not yet the annual out-of-pocket threshold. Sets forth a special rule permitting applicable individuals to enroll in a prescription drug plan outside the region in which they reside. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on: (1) the costs to the Medicare program of eliminating the initial coverage limit and providing specified standard prescription drug coverage until the individual reaches the annual out-of-pocket threshold; and (2) the adjustment to the applicable coinsurance that would be necessary to eliminate the initial coverage limit under such conditions without increasing the costs to the Medicare program.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2006
Makes the survivors of Christopher Kangas of Brookhaven, Pennsylvania, eligible for a specified monetary award to be issued by the Bureau of Justice Assistance of the Department of Justice due to his death as a result of his acting in the capacity of a public safety officer. Directs the United States Fire Administration to include the name of Christopher Kangas on the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2006
Makes technical and other amendments to the Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 and other related federal legislation relating to grant conditions for violence against women programs, law enforcement, sexual assault services programs, violence on college campuses, housing for victims of domestic violence, aliens and Indian women who are victims of domestic violence, and Department of Justice crime control programs. Establishes as new short titles for specified provisions of such Act: (1) the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2005; and (2) the Department of Justice Appropriations Authorization Act of 2005.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2006
Fuel Economy Reform Act - Amends federal transportation law to: (1) revise the definition of automobile to require including all automobiles up to 10,000 pounds (currently, not all automobiles up to 10,000 pounds are required to be included in the definition); and (2) continue applying the current minimum corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards for non-passenger and passenger automobiles to automobiles manufactured through model year 2011, but, for passenger automobiles, adds an increase of four percent per year in such standard for model years 2009 through 2011. Requires an average fuel economy standard of 27.5 miles per gallon for all automobiles manufactured by all manufacturers for model year 2012, with an increase of four percent in the average fuel economy from the level for the prior model year for model year 2013 and beyond. Requires the average fuel economy standard in a model year for a manufacturer's domestic and foreign fleetwide passenger automobiles under calculation of average fuel economy provisions to be at least 92% of the average fuel economy projected by the Secretary for the combined domestic and foreign fleets manufactured by all manufacturers in that model year. Permits lower fuel economy standards if the minimum standards: (1) are technologically unachievable; (2) materially reduce auto safety; or (3) are not cost effective. Allows, with a specified exception, the selling of credits between manufacturers. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) terminate the limitation on the number of new qualified hybrid and advanced lean burn technology vehicles eligible for the alternative motor vehicle credit; and (2) allow an advanced technology motor vehicles manufacturing credit.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2006
Agricultural Protection and Prosperity Act of 2006 - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) to: (1) include the definition of "manure"; and (2) exclude manure from the meaning of "hazardous substance" or "pollutant or contaminant" under that Act. Provides that such exclusion shall not: (1) impose liability under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act of 1986 with respect to manure; (2) affect any provision of the Air Quality Agreement entered into between the Administrator and operators of animal feeding operations; or (3) affect the applicability of any other environmental law as it relates to the definition of manure or the responsibilities or liabilities of any person regarding the treatment, storage, or disposal of manure. Amends the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 to exempt releases associated with manure (as defined under CERCLA) from the emergency notification requirements under that Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2006
Unprivileged Combatant Act of 2006 - Authorizes the President to establish military commissions (commissions) for the trial of unprivileged combatants. Defines an "unprivileged combatant" as an individual who: (1) has been designated as an enemy combatant by a Combatant Status Review Tribunal; or (2) a field tribunal determines is not entitled to the protections of the Geneva Convention, and has assisted in, attempted, or conspired in taking up arms against the United States. Establishes exclusive commission jurisdiction to hear any matter involving an unprivileged combatant who has been detained by the Department of Defense (DOD) for not less than 180 consecutive days at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Allows a commission to hear any criminal prosecution involving international terrorism and violations of the law of war. Gives the U.S. Court of Military Appeals exclusive jurisdiction of appeals in such matters, with final review by the U.S. Supreme Court via writ of certiorari. Prescribes commission requirements, including at least 12 members, three military officers, and one military judge. Requires: (1) the Secretary of Defense to develop a complete listing of all persons being detained by DOD at Guantanamo Bay that the government wishes to continue to detain as an unprivileged combatant; and (2) the list to be updated every 60 days. Directs DOD, within 30 days after a suspected unprivileged combatant has been detained, to conduct a field tribunal to determine whether the detainee is an unprivileged combatant and whether the detainee is entitled to the rights afforded under the Geneva Convention. Requires a detainee to be released and repatriated to the appropriate country unless a classification tribunal board finds that: (1) the detainee is a threat to U.S. national security; or (2) there are reasonable grounds to believe that, if released, the detainee would take up arms against the United States. Requires rehearings for each detainee at least every 180 days. Provides classification tribunal procedures, procedures for criminal prosecution, and trial procedures for unprivileged combatants.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2006
Tylersville Fish Hatchery Conveyance Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to convey to the state of Pennsylvania the following property for use by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission as part of the state's fish culture program: (1) the Tylersville division of the Lamar National Fish Hatchery and Fish Technology Center located in Loganton, Pennsylvania; (2) all improvements and related personal property under the Secretary's control that is located on that property; and (3) all water rights relating to that property.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2006
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should designate the week beginning September 10, 2006, as National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2006
Securing America's Future Economy Commission Act, or SAFE Commission Act - Establishes the Securing America's Future Economy (SAFE) Commission to develop legislation designed to address: (1) the unsustainable imbalance between long-term federal spending commitments and projected revenues; (2) increases in net national savings to provide for domestic investment and economic growth; and (3) revision of the budget process to place greater emphasis on long-term fiscal issues. Requires the Commission to: (1) develop one or two methods for estimating the cost of legislation as an alternative to the current Congressional Budget Office (CBO) method; and (2) hold at least one town-hall style public hearing within each federal reserve district. Requires the Commission to submit a legislative proposal to Congress and the President. Authorizes the President to submit to Congress an alternative proposal. Authorizes the Committee on the Budget of either Chamber to publish its own alternative proposal in the Congressional Record. Sets forth procedures for consideration of such legislation. Requires CBO to prepare a long-term cost estimate and have it published in the Congressional Record as expeditiously as possible whenever requested to do so by the Commission, the President, or the chairman of Committee on the Budget of either Chamber.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2006
Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge Study Act - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to evaluate specified fish and wildlife habitat and aquatic and terrestrial communities in northeastern Pennsylvania for potential acquisition and subsequent inclusion in a future Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Prohibits the Secretary from acquiring more than 30,000 total acres of land, water, and interests in the study area.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2006
Fairness in Asbestos Injury Resolution Act of 2006 or the FAIR Act of 2006 - Establishes in the Department of Labor the Office of Asbestos Disease Compensation (Office), to be headed by an Administrator who is responsible for processing claims for asbestos-related illnesses and paying compensation to eligible claimants. Declares that the purpose of such Office is to provide timely, fair compensation to claimants whose health has been adversely affected by exposure to asbestos, on a no-fault basis and in a nonadversarial manner. Stays any asbestos claim pending in a state or federal court on the date of enactment of this Act, unless the presentation of evidence has begun before a jury or judge, or a verdict, final order, or final judgment has been entered by a trial court. Sets forth: (1) procedures for the filing of claims, including those for multiple injuries and additional awards; and (2) allowable award amounts for asbestos disease, based upon the level of such disease and whether a claimant smokes or has smoked tobacco products. Establishes: (1) the Asbestos Insurers Commission (Commission) to determine the amount each insurer participant is required to pay into the Asbestos Injury Claims Resolution Fund; and (2) the Asbestos Injury Claims Resolution Fund to pay asbestos-related injury claims. Directs the Administrator to establish programs for individuals exposed to asbestos as well as for individuals at risk for developing asbestos-related medical conditions. Establishes the National Mesothelioma Research and Treatment Program for the detection, prevention, treatment, and cure of malignant mesothelioma. Vests in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia exclusive jurisdiction to review, under expedited consideration, any rules or regulations promulgated under this Act by the Administrator or the Commission. Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit and establish penalties for fraud and false information in connection with Fund claims. Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to establish criminal penalties for willful violations of occupational standards for exposure to asbestos. Amends the Toxic Substances Control Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to promulgate proposed and final regulations to prohibit the manufacture, processing, or distribution in commerce of asbestos containing products. Requires disposal of asbestos containing products within three years after the enactment of this Act, with certain exemptions.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2006
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to reduce, through December 31, 2009, the duty on certain cotton shirting fabrics. Limits the quantity of imported woven fabrics of cotton containing 85% or more by weight of cotton entered by or on behalf of each manufacturer of men's and boy's shirts. Provides for the issuance of import licenses subject to such limitation. Establishes the Pima Cotton Trust Fund within the Treasury, consisting of transfers from the general fund in amounts attributable to the duty received since January 1, 1994, on woven fabrics of cotten under specified headings of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States. Provides for annual distribution of amounts from such Fund to a nationally recognized association of shirting manufacturers for the promotion of U.S.-grown pima cotton, and to yarn spinners of such cotton.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2006
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to suspend temporarily the duty on polyethylene glycol branched-nonylphenyl ether phosphate.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2006
Amends the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003 to extend from three years to six years after enactment of that Act the maximum duration of any renewal under it of import restrictions on Burmese products. Approves the renewal of import restrictions contained in the Act. Deems this resolution a renewal resolution.
![Official portrait of Sen. Specter, Arlen [R-PA]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s000709_200.jpg)