United States · United States Congress · 24 September 2008
Urges the President, the U.N. Secretary-General, the African Union, and members of the international community to pursue a comprehensive solution to the crisis in Darfur, Sudan. Condemns: (1) the government of Sudan for its continued obstruction of the deployment of United Nations-African Union peacekeepers; and (2) the ongoing acts of violence in, and obstruction of aid to, Darfur committed by all parties. Calls upon the government of Sudan and armed parties in the region to declare a cessation of hostilities, abide by the U.N. arms embargo, cease attacks upon humanitarian organizations, and participate in international efforts to negotiate a political settlement.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 2008
Giving Incentives to Volunteers Everywhere Act of 2008 or the GIVE Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase the standard mileage rate for use of a passenger automobile for charitable purposes to a rate not less than the rate used for the tax deduction for medical transportation expenses; and (2) exclude from the gross income of charitable volunteers reimbursements paid to them for the use of a passenger automobile for the benefit of a charitable organization.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2008
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States: (1) should seek a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Darfur, Sudan; and (2) supports U.N. Security Council Resolutions 1556 and 1591 imposing an arms embargo on all belligerents in Darfur.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 2008
Prohibits the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) and their affiliates from making: (1) lobbying expenditures; (2) political contributions; or (3) contributions to any nonprofit tax-exempt organization. Declares that violating this Act shall constitute violation of federal law limiting the use of appropriated funds to influence certain federal contracting and financial transactions (thus, imposing the same penalties).
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 2008
Recognizes September 11, 2008, as a day of solemn commemoration of the events of September 11, 2001. Offers condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of the innocent victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Honors the heroic service, actions, and sacrifices of first responders, law enforcement personnel, state and local officials, volunteers, and others who aided the victims and, in doing so, risked and often gave their own lives. Recognizes the service, actions, and sacrifices of U.S. personnel who have given so much to support our freedom and defend our security. Reaffirms that the people of the United States will never forget the challenges our country endured on and since September 11, 2001, and will work to defeat those who attacked us.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2008
Recreational Performance Outerwear Apparel Act of 2008 - Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to provide for the duty-free treatment of certain recreational performance outerwear. Establishes the Sustainable Textile and Apparel Research Fund (STAR Fund). Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) impose and collect, with specified exceptions, a fee of 1.5% of the appraised value of imported recreational performance outerwear and to deposit amounts collected into the STAR Fund; and (2) make quarterly distributions from the STAR Fund to one or more appropriate organizations to conduct applied research, development, and education activities to enhance the competitiveness of U.S. businesses in clean, eco-friendly apparel, other textile and apparel products, and sewn-product design and manufacturing.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2008
ADA Amendments Act of 2008 - Amends the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) to redefine the term "disability," including by defining "major life activities" and "being regarded as having such an impairment." Sets forth rules of construction regarding the definition of "disability," including that: (1) such term shall be construed in favor of broad coverage of individuals under the Act; (2) an impairment that substantially limits one major life activity need not limit other major life activities in order to be a disability; (3) an impairment that is episodic or in remission is a disability if it would substantially limit a major life activity when active; and (4) the determination of whether an impairment substantially limits a major life activity shall be made without regard to the ameliorative effects of specified mitigating measures. Prohibits employment discrimination against a qualified individual on the basis of disability. (Current law prohibits employment discrimination against a qualified individual with a disability because of the disability.) Prohibits the use of qualification standards, employment tests, or other selection criteria based on an individual's uncorrected vision unless the standard, test, or other selection criteria, as used by the covered entity, is shown to be related to the position and is consistent with business necessity. Declares that nothing in the Act: (1) alters the standards for determining eligibility for benefits under state worker's compensation laws or under state and federal disability benefit programs; (2) alters the requirement to make reasonable modifications in policies or procedures, unless such modifications would fundamentally alter the nature of the goods, services, facilities, or accommodations involved; or (3) provides the basis for a claim by an individual without a disability that the individual was subject to discrimination because of the individual's lack of disability. Declares that the authority of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Attorney General, and the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations includes the authority to issue regulations implementing the definitions of this Act. Makes conforming amendments to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2008
Makes unenforceable by a federal or state agency, department, or court any judgment of a foreign court or agency under a certain kind of foreign statute that requires a U.S. plaintiff (or affiliate) to pay damages to a foreign defendant. Describes such a foreign statute as one that has the effect of nullifying all or part of a final judgment of a U.S. court under the Antidumping Act of 1916 by enabling a foreign defendant that has paid damages pursuant to such judgment to recover any portion of them from the U.S. plaintiff (or affiliate). Authorizes a U.S. plaintiff (or affiliate) held liable, or required to forfeit or pay damages, pursuant to a foreign judgment to file a civil action for the amount of such damages (plus interest and costs) against the foreign defendant that obtained damages pursuant to the foreign judgment.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2008
National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center Commemorative Coin Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue $1 coins emblematic of the courage, pride, sacrifice, sense of duty, and history of the U.S. Infantry, in commemoration of the legacy of the U.S. Army Infantry and the establishment of the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center. Expresses the sense of Congress that the coins should be struck at the U.S. Mint at West Point, New York, to the greatest extent possible. Restricts coin issuance to calendar year 2012. Requires a $10 surcharge per coin, and payment of all surcharges received to the National Infantry Foundation to establish an endowment to support the maintenance of the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2008
Weatherization, Assistance, and Relief for Middle-Income Households Act of 2008 or the WARM Act of 2008 - Makes additional appropriations in FY2008 for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Weatherization Assistance Program for Low-Income Persons. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow a income-based tax credit for 50% of home heating oil expenditures made on or after June 1, 2008, and before January 1, 2009, up to $1,000 ($2,000 for joint returns); (2) deny major integrated oil companies a tax deduction for income attributable to domestic production, refining, processing, transportation, or distribution of oil, gas, or primary products thereof; and (3) establish a fair market value standard for determining foreign oil and gas extraction income.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2008
Firearms Fairness and Affordability Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require excise taxes on recreational equipment to be due and payable on the date for filing the return for such taxes.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2008
Honors and commemorates the selfless acts of heroism displayed by the late Private First Class Jacob Joseph Chestnut and Detective John Michael Gibson of the U.S. Capitol Police on July 24, 1998. Expresses: (1) the condolences of the Senate to the wives, children, and other family members of Private First Class Chestnut and Detective Gibson on the 10-year anniversary of their passing; (2) gratitude and appreciation for the professional manner in which the U.S. Capitol Police carry out their diverse missions; and (3) appreciation for the dedication U.S. Capitol Police officers have for protecting the Capitol Complex. Commends the U.S. Capitol Police for their continued courage and professionalism in protecting the Capitol Complex and its employees and visitors.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2008
Recognizes the historic significance of the 10th anniversary of the al Qaeda bombings of the U.S. embassies in Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. Mourns the loss of those killed and remembers their families and colleagues. Expresses gratitude to the people of Kenya and Tanzania for their assistance following the attacks. Reaffirms the Senate's resolve to defeat al Qaeda and other terrorist organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2008
Home Energy Assistance Today Act - Provides additional funding in FY2008 for state allotments and emergency allotments under the low-income home energy assistance program. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny major integrated oil companies a tax deduction for income attributable to the domestic production of oil, gas, or primary products thereof.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2008
Disapproves the rule submitted by the Secretary of Health and Human Services relating to requirements set forth in the State Health Official Letter 07-001, dated August 17, 2007, issued by the Director of the Center for Medicaid and State Operations in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the State Health Official Letter 08-003, dated May 7, 2008, from such Center, requiring states that expand the income eligibility level for children under the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) above 250% of the federal poverty level to adopt the five crowd-out strategies described in the August 17, 2007, letter and to provide certain assurances described in such letter.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 2008
Expresses the sense of the Senate to: (1) condemn the Mugabe regime for its manipulation of the country's electoral process and reject the June 27, 2008, presidential runoff election as illegitimate; (2) encourage the President's efforts to expand sanctions on those individuals responsible for violations of human and political rights in Zimbabwe; (3) applaud the governments of Benin, Botswana, Liberia, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Zambia for condemning such election; (4) encourage the U.N. Security Council to authorize a United Nations Special Representative for Zimbabwe; (5) urge African leaders to engage in the political resolution effort; (6) urge the United States and the international community to assemble a comprehensive economic and political recovery package; and (7) support a democratic political solution that reflects the will and respects the rights of the people of Zimbabwe.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2008
Fair Deal for Volunteers Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the standard mileage rate for the tax deduction for use of a passenger automobile for charitable purposes (currently prescribed as 14 cents per mile) shall be determined by the Secretary of the Treasury.
United States · United States Congress · 7 July 2008
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable Jesse Alexander Helms, Jr., former Senator from North Carolina. Declares that when the Senate adjourns on July 7, 2008, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of Senator Helms.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2008
Gas Price Reduction Act of 2008 - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) to prescribe procedures for petition, by the governor of a state with a new producing area within the offshore administrative boundaries beyond the state's submerged land, to make the new producing area available for oil and gas leasing. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to deposit specified percentages of outer Continental Shelf revenues into: (1) the general fund of the Treasury; and (2) into a special account in the Treasury for disbursal to both new producing states and to the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Amends the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008, to repeal the prohibition against funding: (1) regulations regarding a commercial leasing program for oil shale resources on public lands; or (2) an oil shale lease sale. Instructs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) expand and accelerate research and development efforts for advanced batteries; and (2) implement a direct loan program for up to 30% of the costs of advanced battery production. Expresses the sense of the Senate that the federal government should implement policies to increase federal purchases of plug-in electric drive vehicles. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to study jointly and report to Congress on the international regime for regulating trading in energy commodity futures and derivatives. Amends the Commodity Exchange Act to prohibit the CFTC from permitting a foreign board of trade to provide to participants subject to CFTC jurisdiction direct access to electronic trading and order matching unless specified requirements are met. Directs the CFTC to: (1) promulgate rules for routine reporting requirements for index traders and swap dealers in energy and agricultural transactions; and (2) disaggregate and make public monthly information on the positions and value of index funds and other passive, long-only positions in the energy and agricultural futures markets. Instructs the CFTC to report to certain congressional committees on: (1) the scope of commodity index trading in the futures markets; (2) whether classification of index traders and swap dealers in the futures markets can be improved for regulatory and reporting purposes; and (3) whether index trading activity is adversely impacting the price discovery process in the futures markets and whether different practices and controls should be required. Instructs the CFTC to hire additional employees.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2008
Mosquito Abatement for Safety and Health Reauthorization Act of 2008 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to include among the reasons preferences shall be given in awarding mosquito control program grants that a political subdivision or consortium of political subdivisions demonstrates to the Secretary of Health and Human Services that its control program is consistent with existing state mosquito plans or policies. Reauthorizes appropriations for FY2009-FY2013 for mosquito control programs to prevent and control mosquito-borne diseases.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2008
Warm in Winter and Cool in Summer Act - Makes appropriations for FY2008 for payments under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 (LIHEAP Program).
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2008
Enumerated Powers Act - Requires each Act of Congress to contain a concise and definite statement of the constitutional authority relied upon for the enactment of each portion of that Act. Declares that failure to comply with this requirement shall give rise to a point of order in either chamber of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2008
Congratulates: (1) the Boston Celtics for winning the 2008 National Basketball Association (NBA) Championship; and (2) the Los Angeles Lakers for their success during the 2008 season and winning the NBA Western Conference Championship.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2008
Recognizes, on the 12th anniversary of that attack, the service and sacrifice of the 19 members of the U.S. Air Force who died in the terrorist bombing of the Khobar Towers U.S. military housing compound in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. Calls upon the people of the United States to pause and pay tribute to those brave members of the Air Force. Extends the continued sympathies of Congress to the families of those who died. Assures the members of the Armed Forces serving anywhere in the world that their well-being and interests will at all times be given the highest priority.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2008
Preserving Access to Medicare Act of 2008 - Craig Thomas Rural Hospital and Provider Equity Act of 2008 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) revise the payment adjustment for low-volume hospitals; (2) extend increased Medicare payments for ground ambulance services; (3) extend the authorization for Medicare rural hospital flexibility program grants; (4) provide for rebasing for sole community hospitals; and (5) extend the rural home health add-on policy through 2009. Revises the formula for payments for physician services to provide an update to the single conversion factor of: (1) 0.5% for the remainder of 2008; and (2) 1.1% for 2009. Extends the Physician Assistance and Quality Initiative (PAQI) Fund. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a Physician Feedback Program. Revises requirements or provides for: (1) incentive payments for electronic prescribing and primary care services in physician scarcity areas; (2) the Medicare anesthesia teaching program; (3) advanced diagnostic imaging services; (4) Medicare coverage of items and services under cardiac rehabilitation and pulmonary rehabilitation programs; (5) phase-out of the indirect costs of medical education (IME) from capitation rates; (6) quality improvement programs; and (7) certain prohibitions with respect to marketing of Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans. Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary to establish specified pilot projects regarding chronic kidney disease. Amends the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 to extend the transitional medical assistance (TMA) and abstinence education programs. Amends SSA title XIX to extend: (1) the qualifying individual program; and (2) the Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) allotment for Tennessee and Hawaii. Provides for: (1) asset verification under Medicaid; and (2) reduction in payments for Medicaid administrative costs to prevent certain payment duplications. Amends the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 to extend authority for supplemental grants under SSA title IV part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF). Amends the Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 to provide for additional funding for state health insurance assistance programs, area agencies on aging, and aging and disability resource centers. Amends the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 to make appropriations for federal reimbursement of eligible providers for emergency health services furnished to undocumented aliens.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2008
Alternative Minimum Tax and Extenders Tax Relief Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend expiring provisions relating to the alternative minimum tax, individual and business taxpayers, energy conservation, and tax administration. Extends through 2008 for individual taxpayers: (1) the offset of nonrefundable personal tax credits against regular and alternative minimum tax (AMT) liabilities; and (2) the increased AMT exemption amounts. Extends through 2009: (1) the election to deduct state and local sales taxes in lieu of state and local income taxes; (2) the tax deductions for qualified tuition and related expenses and for certain expenses of elementary and secondary school teachers; (3) tax-free distributions from individual retirement accounts (IRAs) for charitable purposes; and (4) tax rules for treatment of stock and dividends of regulated investment companies and for qualified investment entities. Extends through 2009 various business-related tax provisions, including: (1) the tax credit for increasing research activities; (2) the new markets tax credit; (3) the subpart F income exemption for active financing income; (4) accelerated depreciation for qualified leasehold and restaurant improvements, for business property on Indian reservations, and for motorsports racing track facilities; (5) the expanded tax deductions for charitable contributions of food and book inventories by noncorporate taxpayers; (6) the special rules for related controlled foreign corporations and for the tax treatment of certain payments to tax-exempt organizations by a controlled subsidiary; (7) the special rule for reductions in the basis of S corporation stock for charitable contributions of property; (8) the increase in alcohol excise taxes payable to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands; (9) the economic development credit for American Samoa; (10) tax incentives for mine rescue team training and advanced mine safety equipment; (11) expensing allowances for film and television production costs and for environmental remediation costs; (12) the tax deduction for income attributable to domestic production activities in Puerto Rico; (13) issuance authority for qualified zone academy bonds; (14) the Indian employment tax credit; (15) the tax credit for railroad track maintenance; and (16) work opportunity tax credit eligibility for Hurricane Katrina employees (through August 28, 2009). Extends through 2009 tax credits for: (1) production of electricity from certain renewable resources; (2) residential energy efficient property expenditures; (3) investment in clean renewable energy bonds; (4) energy efficient improvements to principal residences; (5) new energy efficient home expenditures; (6) energy efficient home appliances produced after 2007; and (7) biodiesel, renewable, and certain alternative fuels. Includes marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy as a renewable resource for purposes of the tax credit for producing electricity from renewable resources. Extends through 2016 the investment tax credit for solar energy, fuel cell, and microturbine property. Repeals the dollar per kilowatt limitation on fuel cell property. Allows the offset of energy tax credit amounts against the AMT. Allows public electric utility property to qualify for the energy investment tax credit. Extends through 2009: (1) the tax deduction for energy efficient commercial buildings; and (2) the suspension of the taxable income limitation on percentage depletion for oil and natural gas produced from marginal properties. Makes permanent IRS authority to: (1) conduct undercover operations; (2) disclose tax information to state agencies to facilitate combined employment tax reporting; and (3) disclose tax return information to the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) for veterans benefit determinations. Extends through 2009 IRS authority to disclose tax return information related to terrorist activities.
United States · United States Congress · 2 June 2008
Declares that: (1) preventing the government of Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability through economic, political, and diplomatic means is vital to U.S. national security; and (2) nothing in this resolution authorizes the use of force against Iran. Urges the President to use his authority to impose sanctions on: (1) Iranian banks engaged in proliferation activities or the support of terrorist groups; (2) international banks which conduct financial transactions with sanctioned Iranian banks; (3) energy companies with large investments in the Iranian petroleum or natural gas sector; and (4) all companies which do business with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Demands that the President lead an international effort to increase pressure on Iran to suspend its nuclear enrichment activities, including by banning the importation of refined petroleum products to Iran.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2008
Military Voting Protection Act of 2008 - Amends the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act to direct the Secretary of Defense (the presidential designee) to establish procedures for: (1) collecting absentee ballots of military overseas voters in elections for federal office; and (2) delivering such ballots to the appropriate state election officials. Requires the designee to: (1) ensure that such ballots are delivered prior to the time established for the closing of the polls on the date of the election; (2) carry out delivery requirements through a contract with a private provider of express mail services, which shall include a mechanism for ballot tracking; and (3) take steps to ensure that such voters are able to cast their votes in a private and independent manner, and that vote contents remain private while in the designee's possession or control. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Department of Defense (DOD) should: (1) utilize existing and emerging technologies to enhance the ability of members of the Armed Forces to meaningfully participate in elections and have their votes counted; and (2) continue to closely examine the option of electronic voting, with the objective of protecting voter privacy and guarding against voter fraud.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2008
Making Health Care More Affordable Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to allow individual taxpayers a refundable tax credit for health insurance costs paid. Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to provide for establishment and governance of association health plans (AHPs), which are group health plans whose sponsors are trade, industry, professional, chamber of commerce, or similar business associations and which meet certain ERISA certification requirements. Amends the Public Health Service Act to provide that the laws of the state designated by a health insurance issuer (primary state) shall apply to individual health insurance coverage offered by that issuer in the primary state and in any other state (secondary state), but only if the coverage and issuer comply with certain requirements. Promoting Health for Future Generations Act of 2008 - Amends the IRC to to revise provisions related to health savings accounts (HSAs), high deductible health plans, and medical savings accounts (MSAs), including to: (1) increase the tax deduction for contributions to HSAs; (2) allow a new tax deduction for high deductible health plan premiums; and (3) allow individual contributions to a Medicare Advantage MSA. Increased Access to Health Insurance Act of 2008 - Amends the IRC to permit the use of HSAs to purchase health insurance. Sets forth conditions for lawsuits arising from health care liability claims regarding health care goods or services or any medical product affecting interstate commerce, including: (1) a statute of limitations of three years after the date of manifestation of injury or one year after the claimant discovers the injury, with certain exceptions; and (2) limits on noneconomic and punitive damages. Sets forth provisions related to health information technology. Provides for health record banks. Creates safe harbors from civil and criminal penalties in current anti-kickback laws for providing certain health information technology and training services.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2008
Boy Scouts of America Centennial Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue up to 350,000 $1 coins in commemoration of the centennial of the founding of the Boy Scouts of America. Requires the coin design to be emblematic of the 100 years of the organization. Restricts issuance of such coins to February 8 through December 31, 2010. Subjects coin sales to a surcharge of $10 per coin. Requires payment of such surcharges to the National Boy Scouts of America Foundation, to be made available to local councils in the form of grants for the extension of Scouting in hard-to-serve areas.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2008
Improved Adoption Incentives and Relative Guardianship Support Act of 2008 - Amends part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) extend the adoption incentives program through FY2012; (2) increase the incentive payment to a state for exceeding the highest ever foster child adoption rate; (3) increase incentive payments for special needs adoptions and older child adoptions; (4) revise requirements for the adoption assistance program to promote the adoption of children with special needs; and (5) give states the option to provide for relative guardianship assistance payments for children. Amends SSA title IV part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) to authorize comparisons and disclosures of information in the Federal Parent Locator Service for child welfare, foster care, and adoption assistance program purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2008
Declares that the Senate: (1) honors Lyndon B. Johnson for bringing about the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965; (2) extols his contributions to the United States; and (3) commends him for establishing the Medicare Act of 1965. Recognizes the 100th birthday of Lyndon Baines Johnson, the 36th president and designer of the Great Society.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2008
Amends the Clean Air Act to require the applicable volume of ethanol derived from corn starch in renewable fuel for the years 2006 through 2022 to not exceed nine billion gallons. Requires the renewable fuel regulations to impose penalties for failures to comply with advanced biofuel, cellulosic biofuel, and biomass-based diesel standards.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2008
Honoring Our Nation's Obligation to Returning Warriors Act or HONOR Warriors Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide scholarships to individuals pursuing education or training in behavioral health care specialties that are critical to the operations of Vet Centers (centers for readjustment counseling and related mental health services for veterans) in order to recruit and retain individuals with such specialties for service in Vet Centers. Conditions the scholarship agreeing to serve in such a capacity for whatever period the Secretary specifies in the agreement. Makes any Armed Forces member who serves in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom eligible for readjustment counseling and related mental health services through Vet Centers regardless of whether the member is on active duty at the time of receipt of counseling and services. Directs the Secretary, on receipt of a request for counseling from an individual who has been discharged or released from active service, to: (1) provide referrals to assist the individual in obtaining mental health care and services outside the Department of Veterans Affairs; and (2) if pertinent, advise such individual of the individual's rights to apply for review of the discharge or release. Treats the suicide of a former member that occurs within two years after separation or retirement, if the member had a medical history of a combat-related mental health condition, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), as a death in line of duty for purposes of the survivors' eligibility to burial benefits and benefits under the Survivor Benefit Plan, laws administered by the Secretary, and the Social Security Act. Directs the Secretary of Defense to award grants to nonprofit organizations that provide emotional support services for survivors of deceased members of the Armed Forces and deceased veterans through the survivors' peers. Directs the Secretary of the Army to carry out at Fort Carson, Colorado, and Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, a pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of various means of enhancing awareness among members of the Army of PTSD.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2008
Acknowledges and commends charter schools and their students, parents, teachers, and administrators across the country for their ongoing contributions to education and our public school system. Supports the ideas and goals of the ninth annual National Charter Schools Week (May 5-May 9, 2008).
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2008
Celebrates 75 years of effective state-based alcohol regulation. Commends state lawmakers, regulators, law enforcement officers, the public health community, and industry members for successful collaboration in achieving a workable, legal, and successful system for the distribution and sale of alcoholic beverages. Reaffirms the Senate's continued support for policies that allow states to effectively regulate alcohol.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2008
Authorizes the National District Attorneys Association to use the National Advocacy Center in Columbia, South Carolina, for a training program to improve the professional skills of state and local prosecutors and to enhance the ability of federal, state, and local prosecutors to work together. Authorizes the National Advocacy Center to provide comprehensive legal education in trial practice, provide substantive legal updates, and support staff training.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2008
Alternative Minimum Tax and Extenders Tax Relief Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend expiring provisions relating to the alternative minimum tax, individual and business taxpayers, energy conservation, and tax administration. Extends through 2008 for individual taxpayers: (1) the offset of nonrefundable personal tax credits against alternative minimum tax (AMT) liability; and (2) increased AMT exemption amounts. Extends through 2009: (1) the election to include combat zone compensation as earned income for purposes of the earned income tax credit; (2) tax-free distributions from individual retirement plans (IRAs) for individuals called or ordered to active military duty and for charitable purposes; (3) the election to deduct state and local sales taxes in lieu of state and local income taxes; (4) the tax deductions for qualified tuition and related expenses and for certain expenses of elementary and secondary school teachers; (5) authority for use of qualified mortgage bonds to finance residences for veterans; (6) provisions relating to regulated investment companies and qualified investment entities; and (7) the special rule for charitable contributions of capital gain real property for conservation purposes. Extends through 2009 various business-related tax provisions, including: (1) the tax credit for increasing research activities; (2) the new markets tax credit; (3) provisions relating to foreign personal holding company income; (4) accelerated deprecation for qualified leasehold and restaurant improvements, for motorsports racing track facilities, and for business property on Indian reservations; (5) the expanded tax deduction for charitable contributions of food and book inventories by noncorporate taxpayers; (6) the special rule for the tax treatment of certain payments to tax-exempt organizations by a controlled subsidiary; (7) the special rule for reductions in the basis of S corporation stock for charitable contributions of property; (8) increases in alcohol excise taxes payable to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands; (9) parity provisions for group health insurance mental health benefits; (10) the economic development credit for American Samoa; (11) tax incentives for mine rescue team training and advanced mine safety equipment; (12) the expensing allowance for film and television production expenditures and for environmental remediation costs; (13) the tax deduction for income attributable to domestic production activities in Puerto Rico; (14) issuance authority for qualified zone academy bonds; (15) the Indian employment tax credit; (16) the tax credit for railroad track maintenance; and (17) work opportunity tax credit eligibility for Hurricane Katrina employees. Extends through 2009 tax credits for: (1) energy efficient appliances; (2) nonbusiness energy property; (3) residential energy efficient property; (4) producing electricity from renewable resources; (5) new energy efficient homes; and (6) investment in certain energy property and in clean renewable energy bonds. Extends through 2009 the tax deduction for energy efficient commercial buildings. Makes permanent the authority for Internal Revenue Service (IRS) undercover operations and combined employment tax reporting. Extends through 2009 IRS authority for disclosure of tax information relating to terrorist activities.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2008
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to suspend excise taxes on gasoline and diesel fuels between May 26, 2008, and September 1, 2008. Provides for reimbursement from the Treasury to the Highway Trust Fund for any reduction in Trust Fund receipts resulting from such suspension. Expresses the policy of Congress that: (1) consumers immediately receive the benefit of the reduction in taxes resulting from this Act; and (2) transportation motor fuels producers and other dealers take necessary actions to reduce fuel prices to reflect such reduction in taxes.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2008
Iraq Responsibility Act - Requires that: (1) funds appropriated or otherwise made available for assistance to Iraq for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs for FY2009, FY2010, or FY2011, shall be made available only to the extent that the government of Iraq matches such assistance on a dollar-for-dollar basis; and (2) the Secretary of State certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that such requirement has been met before the initial obligation of any such funds. Exempts from such requirement funds for: (1) grants and cooperative agreements for democracy and human rights programs; (2) humanitarian demining; or (3) assistance for refugees and internally displaced persons.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2008
Welcomes Pope Benedict XVI on the occasion of his first pastoral visit to the United States and recognizes the unique insights his moral and spiritual reflections bring to the world stage.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2008
Recognizes the historic significance of the 60th anniversary of the reestablishment of Israel as a homeland for the Jewish people. Reaffirms the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the United States and Israel. Commends the people of Israel for their achievements in building a new state and a pluralistic democratic society. Reaffirms support for Israel's right to defend itself against threats to its security and existence. Extends congratulations and best wishes to Israel and the Israeli people for a peaceful and successful future.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 2008
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to replace the diversity visa lottery program with a program that issues immigrant visas to aliens with advanced degrees in the life sciences, the physical sciences, mathematics, technology, or engineering. States that such visas shall be issued or adjusted in a random order unless the Secretary of State determines that certain of such degrees are most needed to meet U.S. workforce and economic security needs. (Sets forth visa allocation provisions if the Secretary has made such an economic determination.) Provides for advanced degree visa carryover as of FY2009.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 2008
Hubbard Act - Amends federal employment, armed forces, military pay, and veterans' benefits law to authorize the provision of the following benefits to a member of the Armed Forces who is discharged at the member's request pursuant to a Department of Defense (DOD) policy permitting the early discharge of a member who is the only surviving child in a family in which the father or mother, or one or more siblings, served in the Armed Forces and, incident to such service, was killed, died as a result of wounds, accident, or disease, is in a captured or missing in action status, or is permanently disabled: (1) continued payment, through the original agreed-upon service period, of any bonus, incentive, or similar benefit to which the member was entitled during service; (2) separation pay, even though the member has completed less than six years of active service before discharge; (3) transitional health care, on the same basis as an active-duty member, for 180 days after discharge; (4) transitional commissary and exchange benefits, on the same basis as an active-duty member, for two years after discharge; (5) veterans' housing loan, employment and training, and basic educational assistance; (6) federal unemployment compensation; and (7) veteran's preference for federal employment purposes. Makes this Act effective with respect to any such discharge granted after September 11, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2008
Global Competitiveness Act of 2008 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to extend the annual cap exemption for returning H-2B aliens (temporary nonagricultural workers). Revises H-1B nonimmigrant visa (specialty occupation) provisions regarding: (1) recapture of unused visas (including a recapture fee); (2) visa increases and increases for exemptions from numerical limitations for aliens with higher education degrees; (3) increased employer petition fees; (4) employer restrictions on outsourcing, advertising, and hiring; and (5) enforcement, information sharing, and labor application penalty increases. Amends the American Competitiveness in the Twenty-first Century Act of 2000 regarding: (1) recapture of unused employment-based immigrant visas and redistribution to specified employment categories, including nurses and physical therapists; and (2) a recapture fee (with an exemption for certain health care facilities). Increases the annual limit for National Science Foundation low-income scholarships. Revises L-visa (intracompany transfer) provisions regarding: (1) Department of Homeland Security (DHS) authority to investigate employer fraud; (2) whistleblower protections; and (3) limitations on approval of start-up company petitions. Authorizes (with a supplemental fee) early status adjustment filing for certain employment-based immigrants. Obligates funds from the H-1B Nonimmigrant Petitioner Account for programs under the Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Act of 2001. Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1966 to extend the E-Verify program.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2008
Honors the life, achievements, and contributions of Charlton Heston. Extends the deepest sympathies of the Senate to the family of Charlton Heston for his loss.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2008
Makes technical corrections to provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 which provide special immigrant status for certain Iraqis employed by or on behalf of the U.S. government. Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security or State to convert approved petitions for such status with respect to which visas are not immediately available to approved petitions for petitions filed before October 1, 2008.
![Official portrait of Sen. Sununu, John E. [R-NH]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s001078_200.jpg)