United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1974
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Secretary of the Interior shall offer oil and gas leases pursuant to the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act only in accordance with the following specified criteria, including: (1) the Council on Environmental Quality, with the concurrence of the Review Panel of the National Academy of Sciences, has specified and evaluated all necessary environmental research for any areas to be leased; and (2) the adjacent coastal States have established or are establishing coastal zone management programs to prevent or ameliorate environmental and socioeconomic impacts from activities resulting from leasing.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1974
Net Worth Disclosure Act - Requires the President, the Vice President, each Member of the Senate, each Member of the House of Representatives (including Delegates and the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico), and each officer and employee of the United States within the executive and legislative branches of Government receiving compensation at an annual rate in excess of $30,000 to file annually with the Comptroller General of the United States a full and complete statement of net worth. Provides that such statement shall consist of: (1) a list of the identity and value of each asset held by him, or jointly by him and his spouse or by him and his child or children, and which has a fair market value in excess of $1,500 as of the end of the calendar year prior to that in which he is required to file a report under this Act; and (2) a list of the identity and amount of each liability owed by him, or jointly by him and his spouse or by him and his child or children, and which is in excess of $1,500 as of the end of the calendar year prior to that in which he is required to file a report under this Act. Provides penalties for violations of the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1974
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the well-being of the world and all of its people is gravely threatened by exorbitant or rigged foreign oil prices. States that it is further the sense of the Senate that Congress and the American people support President Ford and Secretary Kissinger in their call to the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries to lower the price of petroleum.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1974
Joint Committee on Intelligance Oversight Act - Establishes a Joint Committee on Intelligence Oversight, specifying the composition of such Committee and enumerating its duties, including to conduct a continuing study of the activites of the Central Intelligence Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Secret Service, and other specified agencies of the Federal Government. States that no funds may be appropriated for the purpose of carrying out any intelligence or surveillance activity unless such funds have been specifically authorized by legislation enacted after this Act. Sets forth the administrative powers of the Committee, the procedures for classification of information, and the recordkeeping requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1974
Railroad Revenue Act - Title I: Findings, Purposes, and Definitions - Expresses the findings of Congress and declares the purposes of this Act, including to organize a nonprofit corporation to acquire, rehabilitate, and modernize, the rail lines. Defines the terms used in this Act. Title II: Interstate Railroad System - Requires every rail carrier to provide the Secretary of Transportation, the Rail Services Planning Office, and the Interstate Railroad Corporation with specified information on time tables, slow orders, restrictions, and speeds authorized on every rail line for freight and passenger trains at all times since January 1, 1935. Provides that the initial Interstate Railroad System shall consist of all rail lines operated within the United States by domestic railroad companies which as of the date of enactment of this Act are subject to traffic usage of at least 10 million gross ton-miles per year per mile of rail line. Provides for hearings and recommendations by the Interstate Commerce Commission on the System, and subsequently, for final designation of such System. Requires the prescribing of maintenance standards for the System. Enumerates procedures for modification of the System. States that within two years after enactment of this Act the Secretary and the Corps of Engineers, United States Army, shall jointly carry out a study of the long-term capital needs for modernization and major upgrading of the Interstate Railroad System, including high density passenger corridors. Title III: Interstate Railroad Corporation - Authorizes to be created an Interstate Railroad Corporation to rehabilitate, maintain, and modernize the rail lines of the Interstate Railroad System so as to develop the potential of modern rail service in meeting the transportation requirements of the Nation. Sets forth the processes of organization, board of directors, general powers, and bookkeeping, recordkeeping and reporting aspects of the Corporation. Title IV: Acquisition, Rehabilitation, and Maintenance of Rail Lines by Corporation and States - Provides for the conveyance of rights, titles and interest in rail lines to the Corporation. Authorizes to be appropriated during each fiscal year for payment by the Secretary of the Treasury to State and local governments an amount equivalent to the State and local property taxes which railroad companies are relieved of responsibility for payment of in accordance with the provisions of this Act. Sets forth Corporation responsibilities with respect to operations of the rail lines, liability, operations of rail freight carriers, and operations of rail passenger carriers. Provides that rail carriers operating over rail lines of the Corporation or any State shall pay to the Corporation or State, a user charge of $1 per thousand gross ton-miles of locomotive and train operation. Authorizes to be appropriated to the Secretary during each of the six fiscal years following enactment of this Act such sums as may be necessary to be disbursed in accordance with an application by the Corporation or any State for the following purposes: (1) rehabilitation of Corporation rail lines; and (2) rehabilitation of State rail lines in accordance with the Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970. Establishes a State maintenance assistance fund. Title V: Maintenance of and Access to Rail Lines of Railroad Companies - Provides for the maintenance of rail lines in accordance with standards issued under this Act. Provides for access to rail lines under provisions of the Interstate Commerce Act. Title VI: Protection of Employees - Provides for a contracting out limitation on rehabilitation or maintenance work. Provides for a guarantee of the prevailing wage for projects financed under this Act. Requires protective arrangements in specified transactions. Title VII: Oversight and Enforcement - Imposes penalties for violations of the provisions of this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated to the Secretary such sums as are necessary for administration and enforcement of this Act, not to exceed $10,000,000 in any one fiscal year. Title VIII: Railroad Rehabilitation Fund - Imposes, under the Internal Revenue Code, upon the amount paid for the transportation of property within the United States by rail, motor vehicle, or water, a tax equal to 1 percent of the amount so paid. Title IX: Miscellaneous Provisions - Sets forth antitrust, evidential and separability provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1974
Changes the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for the immigration of children of individuals suffering from Hansen's disease in the case of children who have been adopted by United States citizens or who are coming to the United States for adoption by a United States citizen who has complied with the applicable preadoption requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1974
Provides that tax returns are confidential, and, therefore, are not open to inspection, and that information contained in them shall not be disclosed. Permits, under regulations established by the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service, the inspection of tax returns by the taxpayer, the Internal Revenue Service, the Justice Department, State tax authorities, the President, and the Joint Committee on Internal Revenue Taxation. Requires a report to the Joint Committee of returns inspected and by whom inspected. Establishes criminal penalties for unauthorized disclosure or receipt of tax return information.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1974
Prohibits the interstate shipment of dogs trained for or intended to be used in dogfights for purposes of sport, wagering, or entertainment. Specifies punishments for persons involved in such commerce and for promoters of and participants in activities which include such dogfights if any one of the dogs involved had been moved in such commerce. (Adds 18 U.S.C. 48)
United States · United States Congress · 22 August 1974
Foreign Investment Review Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish procedures which require maintenance of records and submission of reports by foreign investors who acquire specified interests in domestic businesses and property. Sets forth what information must be kept and submitted by such investors, including country with which affiliated and extent of ownership in domestic businesses. Requires that such information shall be made public by the Secretary. Grants powers to the Secretary to enable him to collect such information. Establishes penalties for violations of this Act, including injunctive remedies. Establishes the Foreign Investment Review Administration in the Commerce Department to carry out the provisions of this Act. Authorizes the appropriation of necessary sums to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 August 1974
States that no person and no agency of the Government of the United States, or of any State or political subdivision of a State, shall be permitted to inspect a return of tax filed with the Internal Revenue Service by a taxpayer unless: (1) the Secretary or his delegate notifies the taxpayer in writing of the request to inspect such return; and (2) the Internal Revenue Service receives written consent from such taxpayer to such inspection. Imposes a $10,000 fine and a 5-year imprisonment, or both, for persons illegally disclosing or receiving tax return information.
United States · United States Congress · 13 August 1974
Declares that all foreign troops currently involved in Cyprus be withdrawn immediately so that the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross may be permitted to restore peace to the island, and to guarantee the protection and civil rights of all persons and communities and the right of the Cypriot people working together to determine their own destiny.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1974
Provides, under the International Aviation Facilities Act, that the Secretary of Transportation shall survey the airport landing fees charged to United States air carriers by foreign governments or other foreign entities. States that if the Secretary determines that such fees unreasonably exceed comparable airport landing fees in the United States or are otherwise discriminatory, he shall determine compensating fees which shall be imposed on the foreign air carrier as a condition to acceptance of the general declaration at the time of landing or takeoff of aircraft of such foreign air carrier or carriers.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1974
Authorizes the President to appoint with the advice and consent of the Senate one additional permanent district judgeship for the district of Connecticut.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1974
Declares that the Senate commends the CBS television network for commemorating the birth of our Nation, and for providing a focus for Americans to foster a sense of deepened pride in their heritage.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1974
State Lottery Exemption Act - Exempts State-conducted lotteries, sweepstakes, and wagering pools, as well as vending machines maintained by State agencies for such purposes, from the wagering tax imposed by the Internal Revenue Code of 1954.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1974
Provides, under the Act to incorporate the Little League Baseball, Incorporated, that girls as well as boys may join in League activities in developing qualities of citizenship and sportsmanship.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1974
Children and Youth Camp Safety Act - Makes it the purpose of this Act to protect and safeguard the health and well-being of youth attending day camps, resident camps, and travel camps by providing for the establishment of Federal standards for the safe operation of youth camps. Confers upon the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare the primary responsibility for the promulgation and enforcement of Federal and State youth camp safety regulations. Requires any State which desires to assume responsibility for the development and modification of youth camp safety standards to submit a State plan to the Secretary for his approval. Allows a State whose plan has been rejected to obtain review of the decision in the United States Court of Appeals. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States which have in effect approved State plans, such grants not to exceed eighty percent of the cost of carrying out the State plan. Authorizes to be appropriated for fiscal year 1973, and for each of the five succeeding fiscal years such sums as may be necessary to make the grants provided for in this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to inspect youth camps. Directs the Secretary to establish within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare an Advisory Council on Youth Camp Safety. Directs the Secretary to submit to Congress at least once a year a comprehensive and detailed report on his administration under this Act. Authorizes civil penalties of up to $2,500 for each violation by youth camp operators of the standards promulgated pursuant to this Act. Authorizes necessary appropriations for fiscal year 1973 and for each of the five succeeding fiscal years to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 30 May 1974
Harry S. Truman Memorial Scholarship Act - Expresses the findings of Congress and declares that it is especially appropriate to honor former President Harry S. Truman through the creation of a perpetual educational scholarship program to develop increased opportunities for young Americans to prepare and pursue careers in public service. Establishes, as an independent establishment of the executive branch of the United States Government, the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation, to be subject to the supervision and direction of the Board of Trustees. Authorizes the Foundation to award fifty-one scholarships in any fiscal year beginning after June 30, 1973, for undergraduate study for persons who plan to pursue a career in public service. States that each recipient shall be known as a Truman scholar. Sets forth provisions governing: (1) the scholarship requirements; (2) the procedure for selection of Truman scholars; (3) stipends and institutional allowances; and (4) the scholarship conditions. Establishes in the Treasury of the United States a trust fund to be known as the Harry S. Truman Memorial Scholarship Trust Fund. Prescribes the procedure for expenditures from the fund. Directs that there shall be an Executive Secretary of the Foundation, appointed by the Board, who shall be the chief executive officer and shall carry out the functions of the Foundation subject to the supervision and direction of the Board. Authorizes to be appropriated $30,000,000 to the fund. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for administrative expenses incident to carrying out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 30 May 1974
Highway Energy Conservation and Safety Act - Requires the Secretary of Transportation to withhold funding of Federal-aid highway projects from any State which has a maximum speed limit on any public highway of over 55 miles per hour.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1974
Congressional Advisory Legislative Line - Establishes an office within the Congress with a toll-free telephone number, to be known as the Congressional Advisory Legislative Line (CALL), to provide the American people with free and open access to information, on an immediate basis, relating to the status of legislative proposals pending before the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1974
Declares it to be the sense of the Senate that it most strongly condemns all acts of terrorism; and that the President and the Secretary of State should and are hereby urged and requested to call upon all governments to condemn inhuman acts of violence against innocent victims and to strongly urge the countries where these groups and individuals are found to take appropriate action to rid their countries of those who subvert the peace through terroism and senseless violence.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1974
Revises the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973 by increasing the period of time during which interested members of the public may comment on proposed preliminary railway system plans. Increases the time limit within which the United States Railway Association shall submit a final railway system plan under the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1974
Directs and authorizes the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to provide for the establishment of a national cemetery in Connecticut or in Standard Federal Region 1. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1974
Interstate Railroad Act - Title I: Findings, Purposes, and Definitions - Defines the terms in this Act. Sets forth the findings of Congress in regard to the present railroad system in the United States. Title II: Interstate Railroad System - Requires all rail carriers to provide the Secretary of Transportation with copies of all current restrictions on train operations, including employees' operating timetables and all "sloworders". Designates all rail lines operated by domestic railroad companies subject to traffic usage of at least twenty million gross ton-miles per year as part of the initial Interstate Railroad System. Sets forth procedures for final designation of the Interstate Railroad System. Authorizes appropriations for use of the Secretary of Transportation and the Rail Services Planning Office. Title III: Rehabilitation, Maintenance, and Modernization of Rail Lines - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to prescribe standards for maintenance of all rail lines. Provides that rail lines included within the System shall be maintained for smooth and dependable operation of freight trains at speeds up to sixty miles an hour. Provides that all rail lines shall be in compliance with the standards prescribed in accordance with this title on or before the expiration of 3 years following enactment of this Act. Provides that no rail line shall contract out any project for rehabilitation or maintenance work required by this Act of a value of over $450 per month in labor and materials which is normally performed by employees in any bargaining unit covered by a labor agreement between the rail line and any labor organization. Authorizes the Secretary to make rehabilitation assistance grants for the purpose of enabling railroad companies to comply with the provisions of this title. Sets forth criteria for such grants and the application procedures for obtaining them. Authorizes the appropriation of $500,000,000 for each of the fiscal years ending June 30, 1975-77 to carry out the "grants" provisions of this title. Authorizes the Secretary to guarantee any lender against loss of principal and interest on securities, obligations, or loans issued to finance rehabilitation work required by this Act. Sets forth application procedures for such guarantees. Authorizes the appropriation of such amounts as are necessary to discharge obligations to honor loan guarantees made under this Act. Provides that any railroad company may apply to the Secretary for a grant to reconstruct railroad lines which have been damaged or destroyed by unforeseeable disaster outside the control of the applicant. Authorizes the appropriation of not in excess of $10,000,000 per year for such purpose. Authorizes the appropriation of $10,000,000 in each of the fiscal years ending June 30, 1975-77 for the Secretary to undertake a continuing program of research and development into improving the stability, ride quality, longevity, and maintenance economies of railroad track and roadbed. Directs the Secretary and the Corps of Engineers to jointly undertake and carry out a study of the long-term capital needs for modernization and upgrading of the Interstate Railroad System. Sets forth the prescribed content of such study and the reporting requirements for the study. Authorizes the appropriation of $1,000,000 for the purpose of carrying out such study. Title IV: Access to Rail Lines and Facilities - Authorizes the Interstate Commerce Commission to order access for use of any rail line or other facility by a rail carrier. Sets forth procedures for the modification of existing arrangements with respect to access to rail lines. Requires the rail carrier whose employees will be affected by rail lines access arrangements to protect individual employees against a worsening of their positions with respect to their employment. Directs the Interstate Commerce Commission to consider and determine the extent to which a rail carrier has availed itself of the provisions of this title to effect economics and efficiencies in its operations, when passing upon any application by such carrier for increased freight rates, increased division of revenues, or other financial relief. Title V: Records, Reports, Administration, and Enforcement - Provides for public inspection of records relating to this Act and sets forth reporting requirements for the Secretary of Transportation with respect to activities under this Act. Establishes an advisory committee composed of one representative from each of the following organizations: (1) National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners; (2) National Governors Conference; (3) Association of American Railroads; (4) National Railroad Passenger Corporation; (5) Congress of Railway Unions; (6) Railway Labor Executives Association; (7) National Industrial Traffic League; and (8) National Association of Railroad Passengers. Requests the committee to monitor the activities of the Secretary of Transportation pursuant to this Act and submit an annual report evaluating the effectiveness of this Act to the Secretary, the Congress, and the public. Authorizes the Secretary to perform such acts as he deems necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. Sets forth penalties for the violation of any provision of this Act by any railroad company. Authorizes the appropriation to the Secretary of Transportation such sums as are necessary for the administration and enforcement of this Act, not to exceed $10,000,000 in any one fiscal year. Title VI: Miscellaneous Provisions - Relieves all persons contracting for the joint use of railroad tracks and facilities from all prohibitions of existing law, including the antitrust laws of the United States, with respect to such contracts.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1974
Declares that the Congress hereby calls upon the Secretary of the Interior and the Administrator of General Services to cause to be conducted on or about August 10, 1974, appropriate ceremonies in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Herbert Hoover, 31st President of the United States, in the town of West Branch, Iowa.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1974
States that the Secretary of the Interior is prohibited from publishing any orders with respect to any prohibition of the use of lead shot for the hunting of waterfowl, until the Senate Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs holds public hearings and issues legislative findings.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1974
Increases from $4,875,000,000 to $6,000,000,000 the amount which may be outstanding from the Business Loan and Investment Fund at any one time under various sections of the Small Business Act and title IV of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. Increases from $556,250,000 to $725,000,000 the amount which may be outstanding at any one time under title III of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958. Increases from $381,250,000 to $450,000,000 the amount which may be outstanding at any one time under title IV of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1974
Small Business Amendments - Makes technical changes to the Small Business Act in terms of program funding, repayments to revolving funds, and program ceilings by transferring to the Small Business Act authority previously embodied in title IV of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. Transfers to the Small Business Act the authority to render financial assistance to socially or economically disadvantaged persons. Empowers the Small Business Administration to make or guarantee loans, with particular emphasis on the preservation or establishment of small business concerns located in urban or rural areas with high proportions of unemployed or low-income individuals or owned by low-income individuals. Provides that in the case of loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration pursuant to the Small Business Act, for purpose of which the participating institution has made a valid demand under the terms of the guarantee, a rate of interest not to exceed that charged by the institution may continue to be charged by the SBA for the remaining term of the outstanding indebtedness. Provides an increase from $10,000,000 to $35,000,000 for the lease guarantee and the surety bond programs. Authorizes to be appropriated to the revolving fund sums necessary for the operation of both programs.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1974
Shepaug River Act - Adds the Shepaug River in Connecticut to the enumeration of designated rivers constituting potential additions to the national wild and scenic rivers system. (Amends 16 U.S.C. 1276)
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1974
Requires, under the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act of 1973, that the President provide for the mandatory allocation of plastic feedstocks produced in or imported into the United States. States that such allocation shall provide for: (1) preservation of a sound and competitive plastics industry; and (2) equitable distribution of plastic feedstocks at equitable prices. Defines the terms used in this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1974
Provides loans under the Small Business Act to any small business concern seriously and adversely affected by a shortage of: (1) fuel; (2) electrical energy; (3) energy-producing resources; or (4) raw or processed materials resulting from such shortages. Requires that the Small Business Administration determine that a concern has suffered or is likely to suffer substantial economic injury prior to the making of such loans. (Amends 15 U.S.C. 636(6))
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1974
Mandatory Gas Rationing Act - Provides, under the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act of 1973, that the President shall promulgate regulations for the establishment and carrying out of a program for the rationing of gasoline. Directs the President to provide for procedures by which any gasoline user for whom rationing is established may petition for a review or modification with respect to his ration. States that no regulation may impose any tax or user fee, or provide for a credit or deduction in computing any tax.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1974
Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation, along the route of the high-speed ground transportation demonstration between Washington, D.C. and Boston, Massachusetts, to permit selected individual public crossings of unusually low potential hazard to remain at ground level, if they are provided with the best available protection. Makes provisions for appropriate treatment for private crossings when used by the public. (Amends 23 U.S.C. 322 (a))
United States · United States Congress · 21 December 1973
National Arthritis Act - States that it is the purpose of this Act to expand the authority of the National Institute of Arthritis, Metabolism, and Disgestive Diseases in order to advance a national attack on arthritis. Establishes a National Task Force on Arthritis to formulate a long-range plan to combat arthritis and related musculoskeletal and other related diseases. Provides that the Arthritis Plan shall include recommendations for the utilization and organizations of national resources for the campaign against arthritis, and a program for the National Institute of Arthritis Metabolism, and Digestive Diseases as a major participant in the campaign against arthritis specifies the composition of the Task Force membership. Authorizes to be appropriated $500,000 for fiscal years 1974 and 1975 to carry out the purposes of the national arthritis program. Establishes within the Institute the position of Associate Director for Arthritis, responsible for programs regarding arthritis within such Institute. Provides that the Director of the National Institutes of Health shall establish an Inter-Institute Arthritis Coordinating Committee to be composed of representatives who can make policy commitments for each of the Institutes and divisions involved in arthritis-related research. Creates within the Federal Government an Interagency Technical Committee on Arthritis which shall be responsible for promoting the coordination of those aspects of all Federal health programs and activities relating to arthritis to assure the adequacy and technical soundness of such programs and activities and to provide for the full communication and exchange of information necessary to maintain adequate coordination of such programs and activities. States that the Director of the Institute shall establish programs for cooperation with other health agencies in the screening, detection, prevention, and control of arthritis which emphasize the development of new diagnostic and treatment methods for arthritis, and the dissemination of the knowledge about these methods to the health professions. Authorizes to be appropriated to carry out these provisions $5,000,000 for fiscal year 1975, $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1976; and $15,000,000 for fiscal year 1977. Provides that the Director of the Institute, shall provide for the development of centers for basic and clinical research into, training, in, and demonstration of, advanced diagnostic, prevention, control, and treatment methods for arthritis. Authorizes to be appropriated to carry out these provisions $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1975; $15,000,000 for fiscal year 1976; and $20,000,000 for fiscal year 1977. Requires the Director of the Institute after the end of each calendar year, to submit to the President and Congress a report including: (1) a proposal for the Institute's activities during the next five years; and (2) a program evaluation section.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 1973
Authorizes the Committee on Commerce to make an investigation of national oceans policy for the purpose of: (1) determining national capabilities in the oceans, (2) determining the adequacy of current Federal programs relating to the oceans and recommending improvements; (3) establishing policies to achieve the goal of full utilization and conservation of living resources for the oceans; (4) assessing the needs for new policies for the development and utilization of the nonliving resources of the oceans; (5) encouraging implementation of coastal zone management; (6) establishing a comprehensive national policy for understanding and protecting the global ocean environment through education, exploration, research, and international cooperation; and (7) making an assessment of proposals for national and international jurisdiction over the oceans. Authorizes, for the purpose of this resolution, the Committee on Commerce to expend, through February 28, 1975, from the contingent fund of the Senate, a sum not to exceed $200,000.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 1973
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the President should determine and take immediate steps to reduce Federal Government consumption of fuels by a third; (2) the President should initiate a program within the Federal Government to immediately reduce nonessential uses of all Government vehicles and equipment, and commercial and mass transportation should be utilized whenever practical in the conduct of government business; (3) the President should allot Federal Government departments and agencies a fixed quantity of fuel for a fixed period for essential purposes only, and critical national security activities and other vital services may be exempted on a case-by-case basis; (4) the Secretary of Defense should immediately initiate innovative measures to reduce the amount of fuels used for defense activities; and (5) the President should immediately urge State, local, and other public authorities to adopt similar measures.
United States · United States Congress · 28 November 1973
Increases from $10 million to $35 million the amount authorized for the lease guarantee and surety bond guarantee programs of the Small Business Administration. Authorizes additional capital to be appropriated as necessary to carry out such programs.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1973
Transfers the functions of the Office of Telecommunications Policy to the Federal Communications Commission. Abolishes the Office of Telecommunications Policy.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1973
Makes it the sense of the Congress that funds authorized and appropriated for the purpose of carrying out the housing, housing assistance, and community development programs administered by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and the housing and housing assistance programs administered by the Secretary of Agriculture should be obligated or expended (to the extent current appropriations or other obligational authority permit) at rates which are not less than the rates at which funds were obligated or expended for such programs during calendar year 1972, until such time as these programs are terminated by the Congress or new housing and community development programs are enacted by the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 1973
Solar Heating and Cooling Demonstration Act - Declares it to be the policy of the United States and the purpose of this Act to provide for the demonstration within a three-year period of the practical use of solar heating technology. Defines the terms used in this Act. Directs the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to initiate, support and carry out basic and applied research and development in solar heating and cooling technologies. Provides for the installation of solar heating systems in residential dwellings under the monitoring of the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the National Bureau of Standards and in consultation with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and Defense. Provides that such residential dwellings shall be located in a sufficient number of different geographic areas (not less than three) in the United States to assure a realistic and effective demonstration of the solar heating and cooling systems involved. Directs the Director of the National Science Foundation to initiate, support and fund basic and applied research activities relating to solar energy in support of the objectives of this Act. Authorizes the appropriation of up to $50,000,000 to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 1973
Provides that the District Court for the District of Columbia shall have original jurisdiction, without regard to the sum or value of the matter in controversy, over any civil action brought by either House of Congress, any committee of such House, or any joint committee of Congress, to enforce or secure a declaration concerning the validity of any subpoena or order issued by such House or committee, or by any subcommittee of such committee, to any officer, including the President and Vice President, or any employee of the executive branch of the United States Government to secure the production of information, documents, or other materials. States that either House of Congress, or any committee of such House authorized by such House to bring suit, or any joint committee of Congress authorized by Congress to bring suit, in addition to any other available remedies, may commence and prosecute a civil action under this Act in its own name or in the name of the United States in the District Court for the District of Columbia to enforce or secure a declaration concerning the validity of any subpoena or order issued by such House or committee, or by any subcommittee of such committee, against any officer, including the President and Vice President, or any employee of the executive branch of the United States Government to secure the production of information, documents, or other materials. Provides that any House or committee commencing or prosecuting an action pursuant to this section may be represented in such action by such attorneys as it may designate.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 1973
Independent Special Prosecutor Act - Directs the Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia to appoint a Special Prosecutor who shall have the duties and powers prescribed in this Act. Authorizes the Chief Judge to appoint a Deputy Special Prosecutor, to assist the Special Prosecutor in the performance of his duties and who, in the event of the disability of the Special Prosecutor or vacancy in the office of Special Prosecutor, shall temporarily become Special Prosecutor until the Chief Judge appoints a Special Prosecutor. Authorizes the Special Prosecutor to have exclusive jurisdiction, to investigate, as he deems appropriate, and prosecute against and in the name of the United States: (1) offenses arising out of the unauthorized entry into Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate; (2) other offenses arising out of the 1972 Presidential election; (3) offenses alleged to have been committed by the President, Presidential appointees, or members of the White House staff; (4) all other matters referred to the former Special Prosecutor pursuant to regulations of the Attorney General; and (5) offenses relating to or arising out of any such matters. Empowers the Special Prosecutor with authority with respect to specified matters set forth in this Act; including (1) to determine whether or not to contest the assertion of Executive Privilege or any other testimonial privilege; and (2) to receive appropriate national security clearance and review all evidence sought to be withheld on grounds of national security and if necessary contest in court any claim of privilege or attempt to withhold evidence on grounds of national security. Provides that all investigations, prosecutions, litigation and grand jury or other proceedings initiated by the former Special Prosecutor shall be continued, as the Special Prosecutor deems appropriate, by him, and he shall become successor counsel for the United States in all such proceedings, notwithstanding any substitution of counsel made after October 20, 1973. States that the Special Prosecutor shall carry out his duties under this Act within two years, except as necessary to complete trial or appellate action on indictments then pending. Empowers the Chief Judge to dismiss the Special Prosecutor or the Deputy Special Prosecutor if he determines they have willfully violated the provisions of this Act or committed other extraordinary improprieties, and for no other reason. Provides that the Special Prosecutor solely shall exercise the powers and perform the duties specified in this Act and that neither the Chief Judge or the President of the United States, nor any other officer of the United States shall have any authority to direct, countermand, or interfere with any action taken by the Special Prosecutor pursuant to this Act. Provides that neither the President of the United States, nor any other officer of the United States, shall have any authority to remove the Special Prosecutor from office. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 1973
Makes it the sense of the Senate that the announced policy of the United States Government to maintain Israel's deterrent strength be implemented by continuing to transfer to Israel, by whatsoever means necessary, Phantom aircraft and other equipment in the quantities needed by Israel to repel the aggressors.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 1973
Export Priorities Act - Title I: General Provisions - Makes technical amendments to the Export Administration Act of 1969. Title II: Agricultural Export Controls - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, within ninety days after the beginning of the crop year for any agricultural commodity, to determine the quantity of the crop of such commodity, if any, that will be available for export and inform the Secretary of Commerce thereof, who shall publicly announce such determination. States that no agricultural commodity may be exported to any foreign country unless the person exporting has been issued a license or unless the commodity has been exempted. States that the quantity of any commodity available for export shall be allocated among foreign countries by the Secretary. Specifies the basis for determining such allocation. Provides that the Secretary may reserve not more than 10 percent of a commodity for export in order to meet unexpected foreign demand resulting from natural disaster, crop failure, and changes in existing trading patterns in that commodity. Prescribes the procedures for: (1) issuance of export licenses; (2) administrative revision of quantities available for export; and (3) exports to developing countries. Confers authority on the Secretary to issue such rules or regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. States that fees collected by the Secretary on export licenses shall be deposited in a special account in the Treasury and shall be available to carry out the National School Lunch Act, the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, the Food Stamp Act of 1964, and the commodity distribution program of the Agricultural Act of 1949, with specified exceptions.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1973
States that the increases in the monthly benefits and lump-sum death payments under title II of the Social Security Act shall be increased by 7 percent beginning January 1974 (presently increased by the percentage by which the Consumer Price Index for June 1973 exceeds that for June 1972, beginning April 1974).
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1973
Provides, under title II (Old-Age, Survivors', and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act, that persons who are blind and have at least six quarters of coverage shall be eligible for disability insurance benefits. Outlines those regulations which apply to the amount of benefits to be received. Defines blindness as used in this Act. Continues payment of such benefits as long as the blindness lasts, notwithstanding the amount of the individuals' earnings.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1973
Requires the Secretaries of Agriculture and Commerce to report to the Congress on all matters concerning the proposed grain sale to the People's Republic of China, including all possible effects such a sale may have on the domestic grain market, effects on the American consumer, farmer, worker, and businessman, and other effects on the economy of this Nation.
![Official portrait of Sen. Weicker, Lowell P., Jr. [R-CT]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/w000253_200.jpg)