United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1976
Waives application of the Congressional Budget Act requirement that new budget authorizations be reported to Congress before May 15th in order to permit Senate consideration of H.R. 15136 (Guam reconstruction). States that such waiver is necessary because a destructive typhoon and subsequent damage on Guam occurred after the statutory deadline for the reporting of new authorizing legislation.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1976
Establishes a Compact of Permanent Union between Puerto Rico and the United States. Delineates the legal and political framework for this union. Recognizes the right of the people of Puerto Rico to govern themselves according to their own Constitution and laws, and the right of the United States Government to exercise authority and powers specified in the Compact. Reserves all other political and governmental authority to Puerto Rico or to the people of Puerto Rico. Recognizes the Supreme Court of the United States as the final adjudicator of this Compact, including the decision as to whether the laws of the United States or of Puerto Rico conform to this compact and applicable provisions of the Constitution of the United States. Grants the United States responsibility for foreign affairs and defense affecting Puerto Rico. Provides that Puerto Rico may conclude educational, cultural, health, sporting, professional, industrial, agricultural, financial, commercial, scientific, and technical agreements with foreign countries and may participate in specialized agencies of international organizations dealing in these matters. Makes all persons born in Puerto Rico citizens of the United States with all attenuant rights, privileges, and immunities, as well as duties. Grants United States citizens residing in Puerto Rico the same rights, privileges and immunities as well as duties established by the Constitution and laws of Puerto Rico. States that the currency of the United States shall be the exclusive currency of Puerto Rico, and all United States law relating to currency, coinage, gold, and silver are applicable to Puerto Rico. Directs that economic, trade, and commercial relations between the United States and Puerto Rico shall be conducted within the framework of the common market between the two entities. Prohibits tariffs, customs, or duties on trade between the two countries and makes provisions for regulating proceeds of customs, duties, licenses and tariffs collected in or in respect to imports into Puerto Rico from other countries. Directs the United States to take into account Puerto Rico's stage of economic development in all international trade negotiations, and to protect and promote Puerto Rico's economic interests. Makes all property acquired in Puerto Rico by the United States under the cession of Spain in the treaty of peace of December 10, 1898, and not subsequently disposed of, the property of Puerto Rico. Permits the United States to use for public purposes all property which is now being used for such purposes. Allows the President of the United States to convey from time to time to Puerto Rico any lands, buildings, or interests in lands or other property of the United States within the territorial limits of Puerto Rico which are deemed no longer necessary for the purposes of the United States. Limits the applicability of United States income tax laws to residents of Puerto Rico to that income derived from United States or foreign sources. Establishes full reciprocity between the United States and Puerto Rico and other bodies politic of the United States. Establishes a voting Representative from Puerto Rico in the United States House of Representatives who shall be elected according to the laws of Puerto Rico. Declares that such a Representative shall have all rights, privileges and immunities of such members as are compatible with the Constitution of the United States and as provided by the House of Representatives. Applies all Federal laws to Puerto Rico which are presently applicable. Sets forth methods for objecting to and denying applicability of future legislation which affects Puerto Rico. Permits the assignment of Federal functions to Puerto Rico which would otherwise be vested in the Government of the United States by law. Sets forth the procedures through which such transfers may occur. Places the primary responsibility for protecting and improving the environmental quality of Puerto Rico with Puerto Rico. States that environmental regulations promulgated by Puerto Rico shall be presumptively valid, and not disapproved or superceded by Federal regulations unless they are determined to be clearly injurious to the health and safety of the Puerto Rican people. Creates a Joint Commission on United States-Puerto Rico Relations to assist in bringing the legal and administrative relations between the United States and Puerto Rico into further conformity with the fundamental objectives of this Compact. Enumerates tasks of the Joint Commission, including: (1) to study desirability of retaining, modifying or eliminating application of specified Federal laws to Puerto Rico, and methods of implementing Commission policy decisions; (2) to study other possible transfers of Federal functions to agencies of Puerto Rico, and methods of implementing such transfers; and (3) to study the desirability of recommending a system of contributory payments from the Government of Puerto Rico to the Treasury of the United States in such ways as to not impede the socio-economic development of Puerto Rico. Establishes a United States district court for Puerto Rico and grants this court the same powers as other U.S. district court. Sets forth the procedures and jurisdiction of the U.S. district court for Puerto Rico in general. Applies all immigration laws, rules, regulations, and procedures of the United States to Puerto Rico. States that in order to become effective, this Compact must be approved by the Congress of the United States and by the electorate of Puerto Rico in a special referendum called for that purpose by the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico. Establishes an amending procedure to this Compact, which may be modified only by mutual agreement between the Government of the United States and the Government of Puerto Rico with the approval of the electorate of Puerto Rico.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1976
Condemns the murders of Orlando Letelier and Ronni Karpen Moffit and the serious injury of Michael Moffitt. Urges a complete and thorough investigation by Federal authorities of the circumstances surrounding the bombing.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 1976
Government Economy and Spending Reform Act - Title I: Authorizations of New Budget Authority - Terminates all budget authority for Federal programs on specified dates according to the functional or subfunctional category of each program as set forth in the fiscal year 1977 budget. Requires the Comptroller General to report to Congress by April 1, 1977, on specified programs with respect to the laws under which such program is carried on, the amount of new budget authority received by such program during the four fiscal years ending before April 1, 1977, and to identify programs for which no outlays have been made during the last two fiscal years ending before April 1, 1977. Prohibits providing new budget authority after the applicable review date set forth in this Act unless the provision of such budget authority is specifically authorized by law or the standing rules of either House of Congress. Title II: Zero-Base Program Review - Sets forth a timetable for Congressional zero-base review of new budget authority. Defines "zero-base review" as an evaluation of a given program to determine the merits of its continuation at a level less than, equal to, or more than its existing level. Requires each congressional committee conducting a zero-based program review to adopt tentative and final review plans, receive reports from the Comptroller General and Federal agencies on the program being reviewed, and report to their respective House the results of such zero-base review of the program. Sets forth minimum objectives of inquiry for such reviews. Requires that any committee reporting pursuant to this Act recommend the extent to which any program reviewed should be continued or eliminated. Title III: Continuing Review - Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 to require, whenever the Comptroller General issues a report which discloses any substantial deficiency in the achievement of the objectives of any Federal program, the agency conducting such program to report to specified congressional committees 60 days after such report and every six months thereafter to deliniate the actions taken with respect to such deficiency. Requires that such agency continue to issue such reports until such time as the Comptroller General determines that no purpose is served by their submission. Amends the Budget and Accounting Act, 1921, to require the inclusion in the Budget of a statement of the specific objectives of each Government program, and a comparison, in each subsequent Budget, of the achievement of such objectives for the last completed fiscal year with the planned objectives of such year. Title IV: Citizens Bicentennial Commission on the Organization and Operation of Government - Establishes the Citizens' Bicentennial Commission on the Organization and Operation of Government, an independent agency of 18 members to study Federal agencies. Directs the Commission to make recommendations to the President and Congress for the restructuring of such agencies to improve their efficiency. Requires the Commission to submit its final report by September 30, 1979, and terminate it 90 days thereafter. Authorizes to be appropriated without fiscal year limitation $12,000,000 to carry out the provisions of this title. Title V: Miscellaneous - Requires the Director of Management and Budget to study the feasibility of zero-base budgeting for Federal agencies. Requires the Director of the Congressional Budget Office to study the feasibility of personnel ceilings on employees of the United States and their relationships to alternative methods of carrying out the activities of such employees. Requires that such reports be submitted to Congress. Requires Federal agency heads to report requests for new budget authority to Congress. Requires specified committees to study the effectiveness of the zero-base review procedures required by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1976
Expresses the Senate's gratitude to Mike Mansfield of Montana for his participation in the Government and his service on behalf of the Nation's people.
United States · United States Congress · 27 August 1976
Designates the extension of the Senate Office Building presently under construction pursuant to the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1973, as the "Philip A. Hart Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 26 August 1976
Urges the President to direct United States Ambassadors abroad to seek the consideration by foreign governments of suspension of their air service to any foreign nation aiding or abetting terrorism. States that the President should undertake international discussions and negotiations which would strengthen the current minimum safety standards established pursuant to the Convention on International Civil Aviation. Urges the President to end air transportation between the United States and any foreign nation which violates such act; services violating nations; or does not maintain transportation security sufficient to meet the minimum security standards established pursuant to the Convention.
United States · United States Congress · 25 August 1976
Nuclear Explosive Proliferation Control Act - Requires that United States national policy include initiatives for international nuclear cooperation and nonproliferation. Requires that nuclear fuel service agreements be in conformance with nuclear material and contract restrictions of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954. Specifies initiatives which shall include development of procedures for nuclear material transfer and safetuards through the International Atomic Energy Agency. Directs the Energy Research and Development Administration, in consultation with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, to establish a safeguard and physical security training program for countries acquiring nuclear facilities. Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to revise procedural requirements for the implementation of international nuclear cooperation programs. Requires (1) that agreements for such programs include prohibitions against the use of atomic material for any nuclear explosive device, and (2) that such programs not be undertaken until certain guaranties are made relating to consultation with the United States on safeguards, control mechanisms, and assurances for peaceful use. Requires the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, upon submission of such proposed agreement to the Joint Congressional Committee on Atomic Energy, to furnish the Committee with its views regarding the adequacy of the safeguards contained in such agreement. Sets forth procedures for entering into "subsequent arrangements" under such agreements for cooperation. Directs the Energy Research and Development Administration to obtain the concurrence of the Secretary of State and to give full consideration to the recommendations of other concerned agencies to assure that such "subsequent arrangements" are consistent with the agreement for cooperation and nonproliferation policy. Requires the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency to furnish a Nuclear Proliferation Assessment Statement to the Energy Research and Development Administration regarding such "subsequent arrangements. Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to limit the authority of the Energy Research and Development Administration to distribute special nuclear material to not more than 500 grams per year to any recipient, except under an export license issued by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Revises the procedures for authorization of the production of special nuclear material outside the United States. Sets forth export licensing procedures under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954. Prohibits the issuance of any license by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the export of any production or utilization facility, any source material or special nuclear material, or any component which could be of significance for nuclear explosive purposes, or the granting of any exemption from any requirement for such an export license, until the Commission has furnished a copy of such application or proposed exemption to the Secretary of State, and has been notified by the Secretary that the issuance of the license or grant of the exemption will not be inimical to the common defense and security. Requires the Secretary of State, in making such judgment, to obtain the views of other concerned departments and agencies, including a Nuclear Proliferation Assessment Statement from the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, in accordance with procedures established by the President. Stipulates that no court shall have any jurisdiction under any law to compel the performance of, or to review the adequacy of the performance of, any Nuclear Proliferation Assessment Statement required under this Act. Directs the President (1) to review the activities of Government departments and agencies relating to the nonproliferation of nuclear explosive devices, and (2) to make an annual report to Congress on such activities. Specifies the information to be included in such report and in the annual reports to Congress by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Energy Research and Development Administration. Directs the Department of State, the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, and the Department of Commerce to keep the Joint Committee informed of their activities to effectuate this Act. Authorizes the appropriation of $2,000,000 for contributions to the International Atomic Energy Agency for safeguard activities. Authorizes the additional appropriation of $2,500,000 to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for fiscal year 1977 for export licensing functions.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1976
Military Construction Authorization Act - Title I: Army - Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to expend specified amounts to establish and develop military installations and facilities. Sets forth the amounts which may be expended for specified facilities. Authorizes the emergency construction of facilities made necessary by: (1) unforeseen security considerations; (2) new weapons developments; (3) new and unforeseen research and development; or (4) improved production schedules if the deferral of such construction for inclusion in the next Military Construction Authorization Act would be inconsistent with the interests of national security. Title II: Navy - Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to establish or develop specified military installations and facilities. Sets forth the amounts which may be expended for each such facility. Authorizes the emergency construction of facilities made necessary by those conditions enumerated in title I of this Act. Title III: Air Force - Authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force to establish or develop specified military installations and facilities and sets forth the amounts which may be expended for each such facility. Authorizes the Secretary to proceed with the emergency construction of facilities made necessary by those conditions set forth in title I of this Act. Title IV: Defense Agencies - Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to expend specified amounts to establish or develop military installations and facilities. Authorizes the Secretary to establish or develop additional facilities which he determines to be vital to the security of the United States. Title V: Military Family Housing - Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to construct or acquire sole interest in existing family housing units in specified numbers and locations. Stipulates that no family housing shall be commenced at any such locations until the Secretary has inquired into the availability of suitable private housing at such locations. Authorizes appropriations for such purpose. Title VI: General Provisions - Authorizes appropriations in such amounts as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act. Sets forth limitations on the amounts which may be used for public work projects under the various titles of this Act. Grants the Secretary of the military department concerned the discretion to increase the amounts set forth in this Act for various installations up to a specified level. States that the total cost of all construction and acquisition in each title of this Act may not exceed the total amount that is authorized. Requires the Secretaries of the military departments to report annually to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a breakdown of the dollar value of construction contracts completed pursuant to the provisions of this Act. Repeals prior authorization for military public works, with specified exceptions. Sets forth unit cost limitations for building projects under this Act. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to permit increases in such cost limitations by such amounts as may be necessary to equip any projects with solar heating or solar cooling equipment. Expresses the approval of Congress with respect to the establishment of a naval and maritime museum in the city of Charleston, South Carolina. Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to convey the lands comprising the Naval Air Station, Lakehurst, New Jersey, to the Airship Association for use as a permanent site for an airship museum. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to transfer the South Charleston Naval Ordnance Plant to the city of South Charleston, West Virginia. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to conduct studies regarding the reuse of military installations which are to be closed. Prohibits the closure of any military installation or personnel reduction at any installation below a specified level unless the military department concerned has complied with notice provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act and has submitted a report to the Congress justifying such decision. Title VII: Guard and Reserve Forces Facilities Authorization Act - Permits the Secretary of Defense to establish or develop additional facilities for the Guard and Reserve Forces.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1976
Expresses the condolences of the Senate on the death of the Honorable Jerry L. Litton, Representative from the State of Missouri. Appoints a committee of two Members of the Senate to attend the funeral.
United States · United States Congress · 2 July 1976
Requires that electric power in the southwestern power area be sold at agreed points of delivery and at uniform, nondiscriminatory rates. Stipulates that agreed points of delivery shall not be changed unilaterally by the Secretary of the Interior.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1976
Authorizes the Architect of the Capitol to perform such work as may be necessary to prevent further deterioration of historically significant sections of the Congressional Cemetery. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study for the purpose of formulating proposals for the renovation and maintenance of such areas by the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1976
Military Construction Authorization Act - Title I: Army - Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to expend specified amounts to establish and develop military installations and facilities. Sets forth the amounts which may be expended for specified facilities. Authorizes the emergency construction of facilities made necessary by: (1) unforeseen security considerations; (2) new weapons developments; (3) new and unforeseen research and development; or (4) improved production schedules if the deferral of such construction for inclusion in the next Military Construction Authorization Act would be inconsistent with the interests of national security. Title II: Navy - Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to establish or develop specified military installations and facilities. Sets forth the amounts which may be expended for each such facility. Authorizes the emergency construction of facilities made necessary by those conditions enumerated in title I of this Act. Title III: Air Force - Authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force to establish or develop specified military installations and facilities and sets forth the amounts which may be expended for each such facility. Authorizes the Secretary to proceed with the emergency construction of facilities made necessary by those conditions set forth in title I of this Act. Title IV: Defense Agencies - Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to expend specified amounts to establish or develop military installations and facilities. Authorizes the Secretary to establish or develop additional facilities which he determines to be vital to the security of the United States. Title V: Military Family Housing - Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to construct or acquire sole interest in existing family housing units in specified numbers and locations. Stipulates that no family housing shall be commenced at any such locations until the Secretary has inquired into the availability of suitable private housing at such locations. Authorizes appropriations for such purpose. Title VI: General Provisions - Authorizes appropriations in such amounts as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act. Sets forth limitations on the amounts which may be used for public work projects under the various titles of this Act. Grants the Secretary of the military department concerned the discretion to increase the amounts set forth in this Act for various installations up to a specified level. States that the total cost of all construction and acquisition in each title of this Act may not exceed the total amount that is authorized. Requires the Secretaries of the military departments to report annually to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a breakdown of the dollar value of construction contracts completed pursuant to the provisions of this Act. Repeals prior authorization for military public works, with specified exceptions. Sets forth unit cost limitations for building projects under this Act. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to permit increases in such cost limitations by such amounts as may be necessary to equip any projects with solar heating or solar cooling equipment. Expresses the approval of Congress with respect to the establishment of a naval and maritime museum in the city of Charleston, South Carolina. Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to convey the lands comprising the Naval Air Station, Lakehurst, New Jersey, to the Airship Association for use as a permanent site for an airship museum. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to conduct studies regarding the reuse of military installations which are to be closed. Prohibits the closure of any military installation or personnel reduction at any installation below a specified level unless the military department concerned has complied with notice provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act and has submitted a report to the Congress justifying such decision. Title VII: Guard and Reserve Forces Facilities Authorization Act - Permits the Secretary of Defense to establish or develop additional facilities for the Guard and Reserve Forces.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1976
Dairy and Meat Import Inspection and Identification Act - Title I: Dairy Products - Defines terms used in this title. Prohibits the importation of dairy products into the United States unless the Secretary of Agriculture has certified that such products are wholesome and pure and that the plants in which such products were manufactured or processed comply with minimum standards of sanitation prescribed by the Secretary. Requires that the standards established under this title be comparable to those imposed upon domestic dairy products. Directs the Secretary to inspect imported dairy products and to require that such products be accompanied by a certificate of compliance indicating that such products conform to the minimum standards established under this Act. Provides for the assessment of fees on imported dairy products to cover the cost of inspections and certificates required by this title. Title II: Meat and Meat Products - Prohibits the importation of meat or meat products capable of use as human food into the United States unless tests have been conducted to determine whether such articles contain any substance prohibited in any carcass or meat product from any domestically produced animal or contain a level of any substance in excess of the maximum allowable level for domestically produced meat products. Stipulates that such tests may be conducted by persons in the exporting country if such individuals have been certified to do so under the same criteria as persons certified by the Department of Agriculture to conduct such test on articles of animals produced in the United States. Provides for the assessment of fees on such imported products to cover the costs of inspections and testing required under this title. Title III: Study; Effective Date - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to conduct a study to determine the most practicable and effective method of requiring imported meat and dairy products to bear lables identifying such products as being imported.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1976
Prohibits the use of funds to carry out any work in connection with any construction in the Indian Ocean area until Congress has agreed that all reasonable efforts have been made by the U.S. to achieve a reduction of Soviet military presence in the Indian Ocean and in Somalia and to achieve an agreement with the Soviet Union regarding mutual limitations on the military presence of both countries in the Indian Ocean and on land areas adjacent thereto.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1976
Requires that estimates be made of the costs that would be incurred by State and local governments in carrying out a proposed bill or resolution in the fiscal year in which it is to become effective and in each of the four fiscal years following such fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1976
Terminates the duty of the Secretary of Commerce to take agricultural censuses every five years and censuses of irrigation and drainage every ten years. Directs the Secretary to continue the statistical classification of farms which was in effect on January 1, 1975, until June 30, 1976. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to collect information on agriculture, irrigation, and drainage on a sample basis, which is comparable to the information previously collected evey five years in the agricultural census. Allows the Secretary, when sampling methods would be inappropriate, to use other statistical methods to collect information relating to the classification of farms. (Amends 13 U.S.C. 142)
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1976
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to review the suitability of specified lands in the Mark Twain National Forest, Missouri, for preservation as wilderness.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1976
Consumer Communications Reform Act - States that Congress finds that the revenues from integrated interstate and foreign common carrier telecommunications services helped maintain a level of charges for telephone exchange service which is lower than otherwise would be required. Expresses the sense of Congress that the authorization of lines, facilities, or services of specialized carriers which duplicate the lines, facilities, or services of other telecommunications common carriers is contrary to the public interest. Reaffirms the intent of Congress that the complete authority to regulate terminal and station equipment used for telephone exchange service shall rest with the States even though such terminal and station equipment also may be used in connection with interstate services. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to provide that no compensatory charges for or in connection with such communication service may be found to be unjust or unreasonable on the ground that it is too low. Prohibits the Federal Communications Commission from holding the charge of a carrier up to a particular level to protect the traffic or revenues from a communication service offered or provided by another carrier if such charge proposed by the carrier is compensation. Provides that the Commission shall not grant or authorize any construction permit, station license, or certificate, for the construction, acquisition, or operation of any communication or transmission line or facility, or extension thereof, or any modification or renewal thereof, unless the Commission shall find, after full opportunity for evidentiary hearing on the record, that such permit, license, or certificate will not result in increased charges or unnecessary duplication of communication lines.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1976
Federal Food Marketing Appraisal Act - Establishes a bipartisan National Commission on Food Costs, Pricing, and Marketing, consisting of five Members of the Senate, five members of the House of Representatives, and five members to be appointed by the President from outside the Federal Government. Requires the Commission to analyze and appraise the costs, pricing, functioning, and structure of the food marketing industry. Directs the Commission to make interim reports and to submit to the President and to the Congress a final report of its findings and conclusions within 18 months after the date on which funding commences. States that such report shall include treatment of (1) recent changes in the food industry; (2) the responsiveness of food prices to changes in farm-level prices; (3) the kind of food marketing system that would best achieve efficiency of production and distribution; and (4) the effectiveness of the present national policy with respect to the food marketing system. Sets forth the powers and administrative authority of the Commission. Authorizes appropriations of up to $2,500,000 to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1976
Opportunities Industrialization Centers Job Creation and Training Act - States that the purpose of this Act is to provide special authority for the Opportunities Industrialization Centers in order to create and provide job opportunities for specific unemployed persons who were particularly hard hit by the recent economic recession, and to provide opportunities for industry to create additional jobs for the unemployed in rural and urban communities. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to enter into a contract with Opportunities Industrialization Centers, Incorporated (OIC) in order to provide comprehensive employment services and jobs for unemployed persons. Requires each such contract to contain provisions assuring that specific requirements are complied with, including requirements that (1) special consideration in providing jobs will be given to unemployed persons who are most severely disadvantaged in terms of the length of time they have been unemployed; (2) due consideration will be given to persons who have participated in manpower training programs for whom unemployment opportunities would be otherwise unavailable, and (3) the program will to the maximum extent feasible contribute to the elimination of artificial barriers to employment and occupational advancement. Sets forth special conditions to be met prior to providing financial assistance pursuant to a contract entered into under this Act. Requires the programs to contribute, to the maximum extent feasible, to the occupational development or upward mobility of individual participants. Prohibits the Secretary from providing financial assistance unless he determines that: (1) periodic reports will be submitted to him to measure the effectiveness of the programs; (2) there will be no discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, political affiliation, or beliefs within the program, and (3) the participants in the program will not be employed in the construction, operation, or maintenance of sectarian religious facilities. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the provisions of this Act of $150,000,000 for fiscal year 1977, $200,0000,000 for fiscal year 1978, $300,000,000 for fiscal year 1979, and $350,000,000 for fiscal year 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1976
Government Economy and Spending Reform Act - Title I: Authorizations of New Budget Authority - Terminates on specified dates budget authority for all Government programs except health care services, general retirement and disability insurance, and Federal employee retirement and disability programs which are funded by trust funds. Declares out of order in either the Senate or the House of Representatives any legislation which authorizes new budget authority not in compliance with this Act. Requires the Committees on Appropriations and the Committees on the Budget of both Houses of Congress to identify each program's functional and subfunctional category (as so characterized in the Budget of the United States, Fiscal Year 1977, transmitted to Congress by the President on January 21, 1976), the committees having legislative jurisdiction over such program, and whether such program operates under permanent authorizations and budget authority. Makes the budget termination provisions of this Act effective on the first day of the Ninety-fifth Congress. Title II: Early Elimination of Inactive and Duplicate Programs - Requires the Comptroller General of the United States to identify for Congress any programs which have duplicate objectives or for which no outlays have been made for the last two fiscal years. Directs the standing committees of both Houses to consider such programs and report recommendations on such programs before March 15, 1978, if possible. Title III: Quadrennial Program Review and Evaluation - Sets forth a timetable for reviewing the budget of a Government program. Requires review by standing committees of the Congress every four years of each program's cost, effectiveness, and the extent to which such program duplicates or is similar to any other program. States that such review shall include a comprehensive evaluation of the merits of such program to determine if it warrants continuation. Requires justification of any recommendation to fund any program which has objectives similar to or the same as another program's objectives. Directs the Comptroller General and the Congressional Budget Office to provide Congress with information and analysis of programs being reviewed under this Act. Requires the President to similarly review the merits of continuing programs contained in annual Budget and to report the finding of such review prior to transmitting the Budget to Congress. Title IV: Continuing Review and Evaluation - Directs the Comptroller General to report to Congress the result of any audit which shows a substantial deficiency in achievement of the objectives of any Government program. Requires subsequent audits, a report of which must be submitted to Congress, to determine if such deficiency has been eliminated. Title V: Miscellaneous - States that those provisions of this Act which direct the operation of either House are enacted as an exercise of the rulemaking power of such House and recognizes the right of either House to change such rules.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1976
Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to give the President the power to appoint six members of the eight-member Federal Election Commission by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Appoints the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives as ex officio members of the Commission without the right to vote. Terminates the terms of the present members once the new members are appointed and confirmed pursuant to this Act. Declares the sense of the Congress that appointments authorized by this Act should be made as soon as possible.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1976
Honors Clarence M. Mitchell, Junior, for his contributions to the establishment of justice and equality in America. Expresses gratitude for his efforts to improve the quality of life for all Americans.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 1975
Provides that a charitable organization shall be denied exemption from taxation under the Internal Revenue Code where amounts paid or incurred by such organization during each taxable year to influence legislation exceed specified sums of money, or where a significant portion of the activities of such organization consists of carrying on propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation. Designates charitable organizations to which this Act applies, and defines the term "influencing legislation". Disallows deductions to charitable organizations where the contribution is made for the purpose of influencing legislation.
United States · United States Congress · 4 December 1975
Dedicates the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park to Justice William O. Douglas in grateful recognition of his long and outstanding service to the people of the United States as a teacher, writer, jurist, and naturalist. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to have the words " Dedicated to Justice William O. Douglas" prominently displayed on all signs bearing the name of the park and to take other actions to call to the attention of the public the fact that such park has been so dedicated. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1975
States that the Senate commends Secretary of Defense James R. Schlesinger for his excellence in office, his intellectual honesty, personal integrity, courage and independence. Expresses a debt of gratitude to Secretary Schlesinger for his services and particularly for his determination to convey the truth to the American people.
United States · United States Congress · 11 November 1975
Condemns the resolution adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations which equates Zionism with racism. Opposes participation by the United States Government in the Decade for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination. Calls for reconsideration of the Zionism resolution. Directs the Committee on International Relations and the Committee on Foreign Relations to begin hearings immediately to reassess the United States' further participation in the United Nations General Assembly.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 1975
Dairy and Meat Import Inspection and Identification Act - Establishes labeling and sanitation requirements for imported meat and dairy products. Title I: Dairy Products - Defines terms as used in this title. Directs that no dairy products shall be imported into the United States unless the Secretary of Agriculture first certifies that such products are wholesome and pure. Requires the Secretary to establish standards comparable to standards imposed upon domestic dairy products. Provides that such imports must comply with United States packaging and labeling requirements. Requires that the package or container of any food product made in whole or in part of imported dairy products shall be labeled "imported" or "imported in part". Establishes criminal penalties for violation of the requirements of this Act. Title II: Meat and Meat Products - Imposes the same labeling requirements on meat products as those imposed by title I of this Act. Requires that such products meet the same health standards as imposed upon domestically produced meats. Requires that inspectors employed by the Department of Agriculture supervise the testing of imported meats. Directs that periodic tests of imported meats shall be conducted in the United States by the Department of Agriculture.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1975
Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to make financial assistance available to agricultural producers who suffer losses as the result of having their agricultural commodities or livestock quarantined or condemned because such commodities or livestock have been found to contain toxic chemicals dangerous to the public health. Directs that the amount of each such loan shall be limited to $100,000. Provides that such loans shall not be available to any producer who has been fully compensated for the loss for which the loan is requested. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1975
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare should withdraw its proposed Consolidated Procedural Rules for Administration and Enforcement of the Department's statutory responsibilities. States that if additional positions are required for enforcement of Civil Rights laws such need should be brought to the attention of the Senate. Directs the Office of Civil Rights to continue to make efforts to detect systematic discrimination including those areas relating to discrimination based on sex and handicap.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 1975
Urges the President to seek a cooperative international effort to strengthen and improve international safeguards on peaceful nuclear activities to reduce the risk of theft of nuclear materials. Directs the President to seek restraint by suppliers of nuclear equipment in the transfer of nuclear technology.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1975
Form Reform Act - Requires that all forms used by each executive agency shall be discontinued progressively over a five year period. States that no form may be placed in use by any executive agency after the effective date of this Act unless it has been approved by the Comptroller General. States that if the Comptroller General determines that the use of an existing form is necessary and that such form is as short, simple, and understandable as it can be, he shall approve the continued use of such form. Authorizes appropriations of sums necessary to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1975
Expresses the disapproval of the United States Senate of attempts to expel Israel for the United Nations. States that if Israel is expelled the Senate will review United States commitments to the Third World nations involved in the expulsion and will consider the implication of continued membership in the United Nations.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1975
Authorizes payment under the supplementary medical insurance program of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Secuirty Act for optometric and medical vision care.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1975
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to establish the Valley Forge National Historical Park in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Stipulates that such park is not to exceed 3,500 acres. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1975
National Petroleum and Natural Gas Conservation and Coal Substitution Act - Requires new electric powerplants and major industrial installations which become operational after January 1, 1979, and which utilize fossile energy resources as boiler fuel to be capable of utilizing coal as their primary energy source, in conformance with applicable environmental requirements. Requires that no later than January 1, 1980, existing electric powerplants and major industrial installations which utilize fossil energy resources as boiler fuel (and not scheduled for retirement prior to January 1, 1985) must acquire the capability, to the maximum extent practicable, to utilize coal as their primary energy source in conformance with applicable environmental requirements. Requires that, by January 1, 1985, to the maximum extent practicable, electric powerplants and major industrial installations which utilize fossil energy resources as boiler fuel utilize coal as their primary energy sources in conformance with applicable environmental requirements. Provides civil and criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1975
Renames the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation the Federal Commodity Insurance Corporation. Transfers the functions and duties of the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation and the Secretary of Agriculture under the Federal Crop Insurance Act to the Federal Commodity Insurance Corporation. States that the Corporation shall be managed by a Board of Directors. Sets forth procedures for the appointment of the Board. Extends the existing crop insurance program from coverage of 7 agricultural commodities to coverage of 25 commodities. Authorizes the Corporation to extend insurance to other commodities on the basis of demand for such coverage and the anticipated risk of loss to the Corporation. Directs the Corporation to offer its insurance program in additional counties according to a specified plan. Specifies the percentage of loss of each crop that the Corporation shall offer insurance against. Stipulates that insurance offered by the Corporation shall not cover losses due to the neglect or malfeasance of the producer or the failure of the producer to follow established good production practices. Requires the Corporation to report annually to Congress the results of its operations and to include in such report, a list of all agricultural commodities for which insurance has been requested but which are not insured by the Corporation, and a list of all counties for which insurance has been requested but which are not covered by the Corporation. Authorizes to be appropriated for fiscal year 1976, and each fiscal year thereafter, a sum not to exceed $20,000,000 or an amount equal to 2.3 percent of the total insurance liability assumed by the Corporation in the immediately preceding fiscal year, whichever amount is greater, as may be necessary to cover the operating and administrative costs of the Corporation.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1975
Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to postpone, upon request from the Governor, the effective date of requirements imposed on States with respect to child support programs in the case of States which require additional time in which to implement the policies, programs, and activities so required.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1975
Authorizes and requests the President to issue a proclamation designating the seven calendar days commencing on April 30 of each year as "National Beta Sigma Phi Week".
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1975
Authorizes to be appropriated to the President for fiscal year 1975, to remain available until expended, $50,000,000 for the purpose of providing humanitarian assistance to refugees and other needy people who are victims of the conflict in Cambodia. Requires the President to transmit to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate a report describing fully and completely: (1) the amount of each type of economic assistance provided under this Act; (2) the expected recipients of such assistance; (3) the names of all organizations and agencies involved in the distribution of such assistance; and (4) the means with which such distribution is carried out.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1975
Removes the numerical limitation on Allen J. Ellender Fellowships to disadvantaged secondary school students. Authorizes $750,000 for each of fiscal years 1977 and 1978 and $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1979 and 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1975
Directs the Joint Committee on the Library to procure a bronze bust or statue of Martin Luther King Junior, and to cause such sculpture to be placed in a suitable location in the Capitol as determined by the Joint Committee on the Library.
![Official portrait of Sen. Symington, Stuart [D-MO]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s001136_200.jpg)