Defence

Syria Sanctions Enhancement Act of 2013

United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2013

Syria Sanctions Enhancement Act of 2013 - Directs the President to submit to Congress every 60 days a list of persons who: (1) are senior officials of the government of Syria, including President Bashar al-Assad; (2) have provided support to or received support from a senior official; (3) have acted for or on behalf of a senior official; or (4) are owned or controlled by a senior official. Directs the President to block and prohibit any transaction in property and property interests of any listed person if such property and interests are in the United States, come within the United States, or are within the possession or control of a U.S. person. Provides for: (1) exceptions for the provision of humanitarian assistance to the people of Syria, and support for dismantling Syria's chemical weapons program; and (2) a national security waiver. Applies specified penalties under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to a U.S. person that: (1) conducts investment activities in Syria; (2) exports, sells, or supplies a service from the United States to the government of Syria; (3) conducts a transaction involving petroleum or petroleum products of Syrian origin; or (4) approves, finances, or facilitates a transaction by a foreign person that would be prohibited if conducted by a U.S. person. Applies such property and penalty requirements to contracts or other agreements entered into on or after December 1, 2013. Amends the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 to expand the list of persons: (1) responsible for human rights abuses committed against Syrian citizens, and (2) subject to sanctions for transferring goods or technologies to Syria that are likely to be used to commit human rights abuses. Urges the President to commence diplomatic efforts to establish a multilateral sanctions regime against Syria. Directs the President to impose specified sanctions against a person that: (1) exported, transferred, or facilitated the transshipment of, any goods, services, technology, or other items would likely result in another person exporting, transferring, transshipping, or otherwise providing the goods, services, or technology to Syria; and (2) knew or should have known that such action would contribute materially to the government of Syria's ability to acquire or develop chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons or related technologies, or acquire or develop conventional weapons for use against the people of Syria. Declares that this requirement shall not prohibit the United States from transporting weapons and aid to forces opposing the government of Syria. Directs the President to impose specified sanctions against a person that: (1) sells or provides defense articles to the government of Syria; or (2) sells, leases, or provides to the government of Syria goods, services, technology, information, or support that could contribute to the government of Syria's ability to import defense articles. Imposes additional sanctions on the transfer of nuclear technology to the government of the country having primary jurisdiction over a person subject to nuclear weapons-related sanctions under this Act. Directs the President to impose specified sanctions against a person that knowingly provides training to the government of Syria's military or paramilitary forces. Directs the President to impose specified sanctions on a person that knowingly sells or provides to Syria certain refined petroleum and infrastructure development-related resources goods, services, technology, or support. Sets forth categories of sanctionable persons under this Act. Sets forth the following sanctions: (1) prohibitions on Export-Import Bank assistance; (2) export restrictions; (3) prohibitions on loans from U.S. financial institutions; (4) prohibitions on sanctioned financial institutions; (5) procurement contract prohibitions; (6) foreign exchange prohibitions; (7) property transaction prohibitions; (8) prohibitions on investment in equity or debt; (9) U.S. entry exclusions of corporate officers, controlling shareholders, or principals of a sanctioned entity; and (10) import restrictions. Requires: (1) a certification from each prospective federal contractor that the person, and any person owned or controlled by such person, does not engage in a sanctioned activity; and (2) the head of an executive agency, with respect to a person that has submitted a false certification, to terminate a contract with such person, or debar or suspend such person from federal contract eligibility for not more than three years. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe regulations to prohibit or condition the opening or maintaining in the United States of a correspondent account or a payable-through account by a foreign financial institution that knowingly: (1) facilitates the efforts of Syria, Hezbollah, or others engaged in armed conflict on behalf of the government of Syria to acquire or develop weapons of mass destruction, or to support foreign terrorist organizations or international terrorism; (2) engages in money laundering to carry out such activities; (3) facilitates efforts by the Central Bank of Syria or other Syrian financial institution to carry out such activities; or (4) facilitates a significant transaction or transactions or provides significant financial services for a person whose property or interests in property are blocked in connection with the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, support by Syria for international terrorism, or human rights abuses by Syria. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe regulations to: (1) prohibit any person owned or controlled by a domestic financial institution from knowingly engaging in a transaction or transactions with or benefitting the government of Syria, Hezbollah, or any of its agents or affiliates whose property or property interests are blocked pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act; and (2) require a domestic financial institution maintaining a correspondent U.S. account or payable-through account for a foreign financial institution to establish due diligence policies to detect whether the foreign financial institution has knowingly engaged in any prohibited activity. Sets forth related penalty requirements. Directs the President to report to Congress every 120 days on Syria's military capabilities. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to report to Congress every 90 days on Syria's assets held by financial institutions. Terminates sanctions and sanction authority under this Act when the President certifies to Congress that: (1) the government of Syria is not using weapons against the people of Syria, is not supporting international terrorist groups, is not developing or deploying surface-to-surface ballistic missiles, and is not engaging in the development, acquisition, production, transfer, or deployment of biological, chemical, or nuclear weapons; or (2) a successor government of Syria has been democratically elected, or a legitimate transitional government of Syria is in place.

A bill to require the provision of information to members of the Armed Forces on availability of mental health services and related privacy rights.

United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2013

Directs the Secretaries of the military departments to ensure that information concerning the availability of mental health services to members of the Armed Forces (members), as well as privacy rights related to the receipt of such services, is provided to: (1) each officer candidate during initial training, (2) each recruit during basic training, and (3) each other member at such time as the Secretary of Defense (DOD) considers appropriate. Requires each department Secretary to: (1) seek to eliminate perceived stigma associated with seeking and receiving mental health services, and (2) promote the use of such services on a basis comparable to the use of other medical and health services. Directs the Secretary of Defense to ensure that such information is also provided to current members, including members of the reserve components.

Transportation Empowerment Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2013

Transportation Empowerment Act - Declares the purposes of the Act, including returning maximum discretionary authority and fiscal responsibility to the states for all elements of the national surface transportation systems (excluding the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways). Prescribes a limitation on funding of transportation programs and projects carried out under this Act. Authorizes appropriations out of the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) (other than the Mass Transit Account) for FY2015-FY2019 for specified core programs under the federal-aid highway program, including: (1) metropolitan transportation planning, (2) emergency relief for highways and roads, (3) the federal lands transportation program, and (4) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) administrative expenses. Authorizes a state to transfer and use excess federal-aid highway funds for any surface transportation project (including mass transit and rail). Limits federal assistance to states for highway bridge replacement and rehabilitation to bridges on the federal-aid highway system. Repeals the authorization of federal assistance to states for historic bridges. Repeals the transportation alternatives program. Declares that, beginning with FY2014, a highway construction or improvement project shall not be considered a federal project: (1) unless and until a state expends federal funds for the construction portion of such project, (2) solely by reason of the state expenditure of federal funds before the construction phase of the project (including for any environmental document or design work), or (3) upon state reimbursement to the federal government of the federal costs of such projects. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make amounts in the HTF available for expenditure for core highway programs through FY2020. Requires the Secretary of Treasury to transfer from the HTF amounts equivalent to motorboat and aviation fuel taxes collected before October 1, 2022, to: (1) the Land and Water Conservation Fund, (2) the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, and (3) the Airport and Airway Trust Fund. Requires the Secretary to pay from the HTF into the general fund of the Treasury amounts equivalent to the floor stocks refunds made before July 1, 2023. Prescribes a motor fuel tax rate schedule for financing of core highway programs. Terminates, on September 30, 2014, the authority of the Secretary to make certain transfers to the Mass Transit Account. Directs the Secretary, on October 1, 2014, to transfer all amounts in the Mass Transit Account to the Highway Account. Authorizes appropriations out of the HTF (other than the Mass Transit Account) for FY2015-FY2019 for the highway research and development program. Directs the Secretary to allocate to the states for surface transportation projects (including mass transit and rail) any excess highway tax receipts appropriated to the HTF in FY2016-FY2019. Reduces the excise taxes imposed on: (1) gasoline from 18.3 cents to 3.7 cents, (2) diesel fuel or kerosene from 24.3 cents to 5.0 cents, and (3) diesel-water fuel emulsion from 19.7 cents to 4.1 cents. Requires credits or refunds of certain floor stocks taxes on liquids imposed before October 1, 2019. Declares that this Act shall become effective only if the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) certifies that it is deficit neutral.

Servicemembers Transition Improvement Act of 2013

United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2013

Servicemembers Transition Improvement Act of 2013 - Requires the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to carry out a pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing information on members of the Armed Forces who are separating from service to state veterans agencies to facilitate the transition of such members to civilian life. Authorizes such agencies to share such information with appropriate county veterans service offices.

Rural Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2013

Rural Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act - Amends appropriations authorities for veterans' benefits to provide advanced appropriations for information technology relating to medical services, support, compliance, and facilities of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to include, as a component of VHA health-care personnel education and training programs, education and training of marriage and family therapists as well as licensed professional mental health counselors. Amends the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 to require the Secretary, through VA medical centers, to provide mental health services, including outpatient care, to the immediate families of certain veterans returning from Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress regarding telemedicine services (the use by a health care provider of telecommunications to assist in the diagnosis or treatment of a patient's medical condition) for veterans, including updates on VA teleconsultation and telemedicine initiatives, training, and partnerships with primary care providers.

Transportation Empowerment Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2013

Transportation Empowerment Act - Declares the purposes of the Act, including returning maximum discretionary authority and fiscal responsibility to the states for all elements of the national surface transportation systems (excluding the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways). Prescribes a limitation on funding of transportation programs and projects carried out under this Act. Authorizes appropriations out of the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) (other than the Mass Transit Account) for FY2015-FY2019 for specified core programs under the federal-aid highway program, including: (1) metropolitan transportation planning, (2) emergency relief for highways and roads, (3) the federal lands transportation program, and (4) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) administrative expenses. Authorizes a state to transfer and use excess federal-aid highway funds for any surface transportation project (including mass transit and rail). Limits federal assistance to states for highway bridge replacement and rehabilitation to bridges on the federal-aid highway system. Repeals the authorization of federal assistance to states for historic bridges. Repeals the transportation alternatives program. Declares that, beginning with FY2014, a highway construction or improvement project shall not be considered a federal project: (1) unless and until a state expends federal funds for the construction portion of such project, (2) solely by reason of the state expenditure of federal funds before the construction phase of the project (including for any environmental document or design work), or (3) upon state reimbursement to the federal government of the federal costs of such projects. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make amounts in the HTF available for expenditure for core highway programs through FY2020. Requires the Secretary of Treasury to transfer from the HTF amounts equivalent to motorboat and aviation fuel taxes collected before October 1, 2022, to: (1) the Land and Water Conservation Fund, (2) the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, and (3) the Airport and Airway Trust Fund. Requires the Secretary to pay from the HTF into the general fund of the Treasury amounts equivalent to the floor stocks refunds made before July 1, 2023. Prescribes a motor fuel tax rate schedule for financing of core highway programs. Terminates, on September 30, 2014, the authority of the Secretary to make certain transfers to the Mass Transit Account. Directs the Secretary, on October 1, 2014, to transfer all amounts in the Mass Transit Account to the Highway Account. Authorizes appropriations out of the HTF (other than the Mass Transit Account) for FY2015-FY2019 for the highway research and development program. Directs the Secretary to allocate to the states for surface transportation projects (including mass transit and rail) any excess highway tax receipts appropriated to the HTF in FY2016-FY2019. Reduces the excise taxes imposed on: (1) gasoline from 18.3 cents to 3.7 cents, (2) diesel fuel or kerosene from 24.3 cents to 5.0 cents, and (3) diesel-water fuel emulsion from 19.7 cents to 4.1 cents. Requires credits or refunds of certain floor stocks taxes on liquids imposed before October 1, 2019. Declares that this Act shall become effective only if the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) certifies that it is deficit neutral.

Amending the Rules of the House of Representatives to require a reading of the names of members of the Armed Forces who died in the previous month as a result of combat operations.

United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2013

Amends Rule XIV (Order and Priority of Business) of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require (on the first legislative day of each month) a reading of the names of members of the Armed Forces who died in the previous month as a result of combat operations. Prohibits the Speaker of the House from reading the name of any such member if any family member informs the Speaker that they do not wish to have the name of that individual read.

Impeaching Eric H. Holder, Jr., Attorney General of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors.

United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2013

Impeaches Eric H. Holder, Jr., Attorney General of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors. Sets forth articles of impeachment stating that Holder: (1) engaged in a pattern of conduct incompatible with the trust and confidence placed in him in that position by refusing to comply with a subpoena issued by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on October 12, 2011, in connection with a congressional investigation into Operation Fast and Furious by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF); (2) failed to enforce multiple laws, including the Defense of Marriage Act, the Controlled Substances Act, and the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986; (3) failed his oath of office by refusing to prosecute individuals involved in the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) scandal of unauthorized disclosure of tax records belonging to political donors; and (4) testified under oath before Congress on May 15, 2013, that he was neither involved in nor had heard of a potential prosecution of the press but later confirmed to the House Judiciary Committee in a letter dated June 19, 2013, that he approved of a search warrant on journalist James Rosen.

Supporting the goals and ideals of suicide prevention awareness.

United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2013

Expresses support for the goals and ideals of National Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month and efforts to raise awareness and improve outreach to individuals at risk for suicide, especially veterans and members of the Armed Forces. Encourages the people of the United States to learn more about the warning signs of suicide and how each person can help prevent suicide and promote mental health.

Office of Strategic Services Congressional Gold Medal Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2013

Office of Strategic Services Congressional Gold Medal Act - Requires the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the presentation of a congressional gold medal to the members of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) in recognition of their superior service and major contributions during World War II.

Hire More Heroes Act of 2014

United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2013

Hire More Heroes Act of 2013 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit an employer, for purposes of determining whether such employer is an applicable large employer and thus required to provide health care coverage to its employees under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, to exclude employees who have coverage under a health care program administered by the Department of Defense (DOD), including TRICARE, or the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

To affirm the importance of the Taiwan Relations Act, to provide for the transfer of naval vessels to certain foreign countries, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2013

Naval Vessels Transfer and Arms Export Control Amendments of 2013 - Authorizes the President to transfer on a grant basis to: (1) Mexico, the OLIVER HAZARD PERRY class guided missile frigates CURTS and MCCLUSKY; and (2) Thailand, the OLIVER HAZARD PERRY class guided missile frigates RENTZ and VANDEGRIFT. Authorizes the President to transfer on a sale basis the OLIVER HAZARD PERRY class guided missile frigates TAYLOR, GARY, CARR, and ELROD to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office of the United States (which is the Taiwan instrumentality designated pursuant to the Taiwan Relations Act). Authorizes the President, when transferring any vessel named in this Act, to ensure that the total number of vessels transferred to a country named in this Act does not exceed the total number authorized for transfer to that country. States that: (1) the value of such vessels transferred on a grant basis shall not be counted against the aggregate value of excess defense articles transferred to countries in any fiscal year under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961; (2) transfer costs shall be charged to the recipient; and (3) the country to which a vessel is transferred shall have necessary vessel repair and refurbishment carried out at U.S. shipyards (including U.S. Navy shipyards) to the maximum extent practicable. Terminates transfer authority three years after enactment of this Act. Amends the Arms Control Act to increase congressional notification thresholds for certain foreign military and commercial sales. Declares that: (1) a defense-related license or other approval from the Department of State may also authorize the export of items subject to the Export Administration Regulations if such items are to be used in or with defense articles controlled on the United States Munitions List; and (2) separate Department of Commerce approval shall not be required, but such items shall remain under Department of Commerce jurisdiction with respect to any subsequent transactions.

Veterans Legal Support Act of 2013

United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2013

Veterans Legal Support Act of 2013 - Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide support to at least one university law school program that is designed to provide legal assistance to veterans. Allows programs of university law schools which may receive support under this Act to include those that assist veterans with: (1) filing and appealing claims for benefits under laws administered by the Secretary; and (2) such other civil, criminal, and family legal matters as considered appropriate. Permits the support provided to a program to include financial support. Limits the total amount of financial support provided in any fiscal year to $1 million.

SERV Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2013

Support Earned Recognition for Veterans Act or the SERV Act - Excludes from the definitions of "active duty," "active duty for training," and "inactive duty training," for veteran benefit or employment preference purposes, any service performed at a preparatory school of a service academy by a student who is not otherwise a member of the Armed Forces.

A bill to provide for the transfer of naval vessels to certain foreign recipients, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 12 November 2013

Naval Vessels Transfer Act of 2013 - Authorizes the President to transfer on a grant basis to: (1) Mexico, the OLIVER HAZARD PERRY class guided missile frigates CURTS and MCCLUSKY; and (2) Thailand, the OLIVER HAZARD PERRY class guided missile frigates RENTZ and VANDEGRIFT. Authorizes the President to transfer on a sale basis the OLIVER HAZARD PERRY class guided missile frigates TAYLOR, GARY, CARR, and ELROD to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office of the United States (which is the Taiwan instrumentality designated pursuant to the Taiwan Relations Act). Authorizes the President to transfer on a grant basis to Pakistan in each of FY2014-FY2016 one of the OLIVER HAZARD PERRY class guided missile frigates USS KLAKRING, USS DE WERT, and USS ROBERT G. BRADLEY after certifying to Congress that Pakistan is cooperating with the United States in counterterrorism and nonproliferation efforts, not supporting terrorist activities against the United States, and taking steps towards releasing Dr. Shakil Afridi. Authorizes the President to waive such certification requirements for U.S. national security interests. Authorizes the President to transfer any vessel named in this Act to any country named in this Act, but only if the total number transferred to a country does not exceed the total authorized by this Act for transfer to that country. States that: (1) the value of vessels transferred on a grant basis shall not be counted against the aggregate value of excess defense articles transferred to countries in any fiscal year under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961; (2) transfer costs shall be charged to the recipient; and (3) the country to which a vessel is transferred shall have necessary vessel repair and refurbishment carried out, to the maximum extent practicable, at U.S. shipyards (including U.S. Navy shipyards). Terminates transfer authority three years after enactment of this Act. Amends the Arms Export Control Act to direct the President to notify Congress before a shipment of certain defense articles. Directs the President to provide Congress with copies of any: (1) new presidential directives or policy guidance on national security, including on U.S. counterterrorism policies; and (2) directives or policy guidance that were issued on or after January 1, 2013, and before enactment of this Act. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act to increase funds available for transfers of excess defense articles. Authorizes the President, for FY2014-FY2016, to enter into cooperative arrangements providing for the participation of foreign and U.S. military and civilian defense personnel for integrated air and missile defense programs in Southwest Asia.

Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014

United States · United States Congress · 12 November 2013

Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 - Title I: Budget and Personnel Authorizations - Authorizes appropriations for FY2014 for the conduct of intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the: (1) Office of the Director of National Intelligence; (2) Central Intelligence Agency (CIA); (3) Department of Defense (DOD); (4) Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA); (5) National Security Agency (NSA); (6) Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force; (7) Coast Guard; (8) Departments of State, the Treasury, Energy (DOE), and Justice (DOJ); (9) Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); (10) Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); (11) National Reconnaissance Office; (12) National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency; and (13) Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Provides that the amounts authorized and the authorized personnel ceilings as of September 30, 2014, for intelligence activities are those specified in the classified Schedule of Authorizations, which shall be made available to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations and the President. Authorizes the Director of National Intelligence to authorize employment of civilian personnel in excess of the number authorized for FY2014 when necessary for the performance of important intelligence functions. Requires notification to the congressional intelligence committees of the use of such authority. Authorizes appropriations for the Intelligence Community Management Account for FY2014, as well as for full-time personnel for elements within such Account. Title II: Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System - Authorizes appropriations for FY2014 for the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability Fund. Title III: General Intelligence Community Matters - Declares that the authorization of appropriations by this Act shall not be deemed to authorize any intelligence activity which is not otherwise authorized by the Constitution or the laws of the United States. Directs the President to designate certain U.S. officers or employees as functional managers for signals intelligence, human intelligence, geospatial intelligence, and other necessary intelligence disciplines. Requires the chief information officer of each element of the intelligence community and the Chief Information Officer of the Intelligence Community to conduct inventories of all existing software licences of each element, including utilized and unutilized licenses. Extends the authority for the Public Interest Declassification Board until December 31, 2018. Amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 to permit an intelligence community employee or contractor who intends to report to Congress a complaint or information with respect to an urgent concern to report such complaint or information to the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community. Requires the head of an element of the intelligence community to notify the Director of National Intelligence upon determining that a U.S. person is engaged in acts of international terrorism against the United States such that the government is considering the legality or use of targeted lethal force against such person. Requires the President to prepare and make public an annual report on the use of targeted lethal force outside the United States. Requires the Attorney General to provide the congressional intelligence committees with a listing of every opinion of the DOD Office of Legal Counsel that has been provided to an element of the intelligence community. Requires reports on: (1) plans for the orderly shutdown of intelligence agencies in the absence of appropriations, (2) the Syrian chemical weapons program, and (3) penetrations of networks and information systems of intelligence contractors. Title IV: Matters Relating to Elements of the Intelligence Community - Amends the National Security Act of 1959 to require the Director of the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Inspector General of NSA to be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. Amends the National Security Act of 1947 to require the Director of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and the Inspector General of NRO to be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. Title V: Security Clearance Reform - Requires the Director of National Intelligence, in consultation with the DOD Secretary and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), to conduct an analysis of the relative costs and benefits of improving the process for investigating persons for access to classified information. Amends the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 to prohibit an agency from rejecting another agency's access determination on the basis that such determination is out-of-scope, unless the rejecting agency does not employ any personnel who have background investigations that are out-of-scope. Requires the Director of National Intelligence to report on a strategic plan for improving the process for periodic background reinvestigations for updating security clearances. Title VI: Intelligence Community Whistleblower Protections - Extends whistleblower protections to employees of the intelligence community, including protections against retaliatory revocation of security clearances and adverse access determinations. Title VII: Other Matters - Eliminates the termination date for provisions requiring notification to congressional intelligence committees regarding the authorized disclosure of national intelligence or intelligence related to national security. Amends the Central Intelligence Agency Act of 1949 to authorize the CIA Director to engage in fundraising for the benefit of nonprofit organizations that provide support to surviving family members of deceased CIA employees.

Servicemembers Transition Improvement Act of 2013

United States · United States Congress · 12 November 2013

Servicemembers Transition Improvement Act of 2013 - Requires the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to carry out a pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing information on members of the Armed Forces who are separating from service to state veterans agencies to facilitate the transition of such members to civilian life. Authorizes such agencies to share such information with appropriate county veterans service offices.

Veterans Education Counseling Act of 2013

United States · United States Congress · 12 November 2013

Veterans Education Counseling Act of 2013 - Modifies provisions relating to educational and vocational counseling for veterans to provide a program of counseling services to be known as the Academic Counseling and Educational Information Service. Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to: (1) make available to veterans information about the definitions, eligibility requirements, and services provided by such counseling and how such counseling services differ from those provided as part of rehabilitation and readjustment assistance programs for veterans; and (2) maintain a website on which a person is able to request such counseling services. Establishes as the primary goal of such counseling services to provide individuals with assistance in: (1) pursuing postsecondary education and training opportunities, (2) obtaining information about and data on such opportunities, (3) selecting a program of education or training, and (4) addressing other needs relating to education.

National Security Rocket Engine Study Act of 2013

United States · United States Congress · 12 November 2013

National Security Rocket Engine Study Act of 2013 - Requires the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to submit and the Comptroller General (GAO) to review a report on the Russian RD-180 rocket engine, including: (1) a feasibility assessment and cost estimate of manufacturing an alternative rocket engine in the United States, and (2) a description of policy benefits and concerns related to where the rocket engine is manufactured.

Public-Private Employee Retirement Parity Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 November 2013

Public-Private Employee Retirement Parity Act - Excludes as creditable service under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) any service performed by an federal employee or Member of Congress (including military service) after the date that is six months after enactment of this Act, if that individual did not perform any period of creditable service (including military service) before such date. Prohibits an employing agency from making any deduction or withholding from the basic pay of, or any contribution for, any employee or Member for such excluded service. Modifies the reporting requirements of the Board of Actuaries of the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) to require: (1) its annual reports on the actuarial status of CSRS and FERS submitted after the enactment of this Act to be made available online, and (2) all previous reports prepared on or after June 6, 1986, to be made available online.

Article 32 Reform Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 November 2013

Article 32 Reform Act - Revises requirements relating to an Article 32 investigative hearing under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) to require a judge advocate to conduct a preliminary hearing prior to referring a charge or specification to a general court-martial for trial. Requires such judge advocate to have a grade equal to or higher than the grade of the trial counsel and any defense counsel who is representing the accused at the preliminary hearing. Limits the preliminary hearing to the purpose of determining whether there is probable cause to believe an offense has been committed and whether the accused committed it. Requires the judge advocate conducting the preliminary hearing to prepare a report which shall include: (1) determinations as to the court-martial jurisdiction over the offense and the accused and as to probable cause, (2) a consideration of the form of charges, and (3) a recommendation as to the disposition of the case. Allows a victim of the alleged offense to decline to testify at the preliminary hearing. Requires the preliminary hearing to be recorded by a court reporter or by a suitable recording device.

To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the enrollment of veterans in certain courses of education, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 12 November 2013

Prohibits the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) or a state approving agency from approving a program of education offered by an educational institution for purposes of an educational assistance program for veterans or members of the Selected Reserve or the Ready Reserve of the Armed Forces unless any such institution that administers a priority enrollment system allows an eligible veteran, member, or dependent to enroll in courses at the earliest possible time.

Putting Our Veterans Back to Work Act of 2013

United States · United States Congress · 12 November 2013

Putting Our Veterans Back to Work Act of 2013 - Amends the: (1) VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 to extend through March 31, 2016, the veterans retraining assistance program; and (2) Wounded Warrior Act to extend through 2016 the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) (Secretary) to provide the same rehabilitation and vocational benefits to members of the Armed Forces (members) with severe injuries or illnesses as are provided to veterans. Extends through: (1) March 31, 2016, additional VA rehabilitation programs for certain disabled veterans who have completed a VA rehabilitation program and have exhausted their rights to state unemployment benefits; and (2) FY2015 the collaborative veterans' training, mentoring, and placement program. Directs the Secretary to develop a single, unified federal web-based employment portal for veterans to access information on federal programs and activities concerning veterans employment, unemployment benefits, and training. Directs the: (1) Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to award grants to hire veterans as firefighters, and (2) Attorney General (AG) to award grants to hire veterans as law enforcement officers. Requires the head of each executive and defense agency to consider favorably, as an evaluation factor in federal solicitations for contracts and task or delivery orders valued at or above $25 million, the employment by a prospective contractor of veterans constituting at least 5% of the contractor's workforce. Allows a veteran on whose behalf a complaint of a violation of employment or reemployment rights under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) is made by the AG to intervene in such action, and to obtain appropriate relief. Requires the AG, within 60 days after receiving a referral of an unsuccessful attempt to resolve a complaint relating to a state or private employer, to notify the person on whose behalf the complaint is submitted of either the decision to commence such an action or of when such decision is expected to be made. Requires, in the latter case, such decision to be made within an additional 30 days. Requires the AG to commence such an action when there is reasonable cause to believe that a state or private employer is engaged in a pattern or practice of resistance to the full enjoyment of such rights and benefits, and that the pattern or practice denies the full exercise of such rights and benefits. Authorizes the suspension, termination, or debarment of federal contractors for repeated failures or refusals to comply with USERRA protections. Provides the Special Counsel with subpoena power to require the attendance and testimony of, and production of documents from, federal employees, to be enforced through the Merit Systems Protection Board. Authorizes the AG, in employment or reemployment rights investigations, to issue and serve a civil investigative demand for the production of documentary material.

Veterans Conservation Corps Act of 2013

United States · United States Congress · 12 November 2013

Veterans Conservation Corps Act of 2013 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a veterans conservation corps to assist unemployed veterans in the transition from service in the Armed Forces to civilian life and to employ such veterans: (1) in conservation, resource management, firefighting, law enforcement, and historic preservation projects on public lands; (2) in maintenance and improvement projects for cemeteries under the jurisdiction of the National Cemetery Administration; and (3) as firefighters, law enforcement officers, and disaster relief personnel. Requires priority to be given to the employment of veterans who served on active duty on or after September 11, 2001. Requires, as part of the veterans conservation corps: (1) the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to award grants under the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 to hire veterans as firefighters, (2) the Attorney General to award grants under the public safety and community policing grant program (COPS ON THE BEAT grant program) under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to hire veterans as law enforcement officers, and (3) the DHS Secretary to provide funds to increase participation by veterans in the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Corps program. Authorizes the VA Secretary to transfer amounts to carry out the corps to the Attorney General, the Chief of Engineers, the Corporation for National and Community Service, and the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, DHS, and Interior. Directs the VA Secretary to establish a steering committee to establish selection criteria for, and provide advice to the VA Secretary on, the awarding of assistance under this Act.

Commending the Patriot Guard Riders for their mission to show sincere respect for fallen members of the Armed Forces by attending the funeral services of a fallen member as invited guests of the family of the member.

United States · United States Congress · 12 November 2013

Commends the Patriot Guard Riders and all of the other volunteers involved in shielding the mourning family and friends of a fallen member of the Armed Forces from interruptions created by any protestor or group of protestors. Recognizes the sacrifices that veterans, members of the Armed Forces, and their families have made, and continue to make, on behalf of the United States.

THE IMPACT OF SEQUESTRATION ON THE NATIONAL DEFENSE

United States · United States Senate · 7 November 2013

Military Equitable Reimbursement Act of 2013

United States · United States Congress · 7 November 2013

Military Equitable Reimbursement Act of 2013 - Requires any amounts received by the Department of Defense (DOD) after enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 as reimbursement for expenses incurred by DOD as a result of providing assistance to a nongovernmental entertainment-oriented media producer to be credited to the applicable appropriations account or fund from which such expenses were charged.

A bill to require a Comptroller General of the United States report on the impact of certain mental and physical trauma on the discharge of members of the Armed Forces for misconduct.

United States · United States Congress · 7 November 2013

Requires the Comptroller General (GAO) to report on the impact of mental and physical trauma relating to post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury, behavioral health matters not related to PTSD, and other neurological combat traumas on the discharge of members of the Armed Forces for misconduct.

Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2013

United States · United States Congress · 7 November 2013

Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2013 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to: (1) submit to Congress a plan to introduce pay-for-performance mechanisms into contracts which compensate Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) contractors for the provision of veterans' health care services through community-based outpatient clinics (clinics), (2) commence plan implementation within 60 days after submission, and (3) report semiannually to Congress on the feasibility and advisability of utilizing such mechanisms in the provision of VA health care services by means in addition to such clinics.

Memorial Day Moment of Silence Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 November 2013

Memorial Day Moment of Silence Act - Directs the President to issue an annual proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe two minutes of silence on Memorial Day, beginning at 3:00 p.m. Atlantic standard time, in honor of the service and sacrifice of members of the Armed Forces throughout the history of the United States.

Article 32 Reform Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 November 2013

Article 32 Reform Act - Revises requirements relating to an Article 32 investigative hearing under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) to require a judge advocate to conduct a preliminary hearing prior to referring a charge or specification to a general court-martial for trial. Requires such judge advocate to have a grade equal to or higher than the grade of the trial counsel and any defense counsel who is representing the accused at the preliminary hearing. Limits the preliminary hearing to the purpose of determining whether there is probable cause to believe an offense has been committed and whether the accused committed it. Requires the judge advocate conducting the preliminary hearing to prepare a report that includes: (1) a determination as to the court-martial jurisdiction over the offense and the accused, (2) a determination as to probable cause, (3) a consideration of the form of charges, and (4) a recommendation as to the disposition of the case. Allows a victim of the alleged offense to decline to testify at the preliminary hearing. Requires the preliminary hearing to be recorded by a court reporter or by a suitable recording device.

Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education Improvement Act of 2013

United States · United States Congress · 4 November 2013

Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education Improvement Act of 2013 - Extends through the end of 2015 the Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education. Requires the Committee to include veterans representative of the post-9/11 operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

FISA Improvements Act of 2013

United States · United States Congress · 31 October 2013

FISA Improvements Act of 2013 - Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) to place restrictions on the bulk collection of wire or electronic communications that a FISA court may authorize in response to an application by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for an order requiring the production of tangible things (commonly referred to as business records, including books, records, papers, documents, and other items) for an investigation to obtain foreign intelligence information not concerning a U.S. person or to protect against international terrorism or clandestine intelligence activities. Prohibits a FISA court from authorizing: (1) bulk acquisition of wire or electronic communication records from an entity that provides an electronic communication service to the public if such order does not name or otherwise identify either individuals or facilities, unless the court requires specified security procedures to be followed with respect to the use of, and personnel authorized to access, such data; or (2) acquisition of the content of any communication. Defines "content" as information concerning the substance, purport, or meaning of a communication, excluding any dialing, routing, addressing, or signaling information. Prohibits access to bulk information acquired pursuant to an order except to: (1) query a selector (such as a phone number or electronic account identifier associated with a particular communicant or facility) for which a recorded determination has been made that there is a reasonable articulable suspicion (RAS) that it is associated with international terrorism or related terrorism preparation activities; (2) return information concerning communications to or from such selector, or communications to or from other selectors in communication with, or reasonably linked to, the selector used to perform the query; or (3) narrow query results or conduct technical assurance, data management, or compliance measures. Requires court-approved minimization procedures to be followed when a query returns information concerning a selector that is only reasonably linked to the selector used to perform the query. Limits to 90 days the period during which an order may be in effect, subject to possible extension by the court. Requires the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) to establish an automated procedure to record the aggregate number of queries in the previous quarter and report such information to Congress. Provides for such information to be available upon request to Inspectors General of the National Security Agency (NSA), Intelligence Community, and Department of Justice (DOJ), other appropriate DOJ and NSA officials, and the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB). Requires copies of each RAS determination to be provided to the court. Specifies that determinations reasonably believed to be associated with a particular, known U.S. person must be provided to the court within seven days. Authorizes the court, if it finds an RAS determination to be improper, to order: (1) the production of records to be terminated or modified, or (2) the information acquired to be destroyed. Prohibits the government from: (1) retaining records and information produced pursuant to an order, other than query results, for longer than five years; or (2) querying retained data more than three years after it was acquired, unless the Attorney General determines that the query meets an RAS standard. Requires a copy of each tangible thing production order to be provided to Congress. Directs the Attorney General to report annually to Congress regarding the number of: (1) unique selectors for which an RAS determination has been made as well as the number of bulk data queries performed by the government; (2) investigative leads developed from bulk data queries; and (3) warrants or court orders, based on probable cause, issued in response to information produced by such queries. Amends the federal criminal code to provide for a fine and/or imprisonment for up to 10 years for accessing a computer without authorization or exceeding authorized access and thereby obtaining information from any U.S. agency while knowing or having reason to know that: (1) such computer was operated by or on behalf of the United States, and (2) such information was acquired by the United States pursuant to a FISA order. Permits FISA courts to appoint amicus curiae to assist the court in the consideration of a certain applications. Consolidates various FISA reporting requirements into a combined semiannual report. Places restrictions on queries that may be conducted on the contents of communications acquired pursuant to a joint authorization by the Attorney General and DNI to target persons located outside the United States other than U.S. persons. Permits queries of a selector known to be used by a U.S. person to be conducted by personnel of elements of the intelligence community only if the purpose is to obtain foreign intelligence information or information necessary to understand such intelligence or to assess its importance. Permits the acquisition of foreign intelligence information by targeting a non-U.S. person located outside the United States, that was lawfully initiated by an element of the intelligence community, to continue for a transitional period of up to 72 hours from the time when it is recognized that the non-U.S. person is located inside the United States, provided that: (1) the head of the element determines that an exigent circumstance exists; (2) the target of the acquisition has communicated or received, or will communicate or receive, foreign intelligence information relevant to such circumstance; and (3) a request for emergency authorization from the Attorney General is impracticable in light of the exigent circumstance. Requires presidential appointment, with advice and consent of the Senate, of the NSA Director and the NSA Inspector General. Amends the National Security Act of 1947 to require the DNI to report annually to Congress regarding violations of laws or executive orders by personnel of an element of the intelligence community, including violations of Executive Order 12333 relating to U.S. intelligence activities. Directs the PCLOB to conduct an annual review of NSA activities related to FISA information collection.

Cybersecurity Public Awareness Act of 2013

United States · United States Congress · 31 October 2013

Cybersecurity Public Awareness Act of 2013 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to submit an annual report that: (1) summarizes major cyber incidents involving networks of executive agencies, except for the Department of Defense (DOD); (2) provides aggregate statistics on the number of breaches of networks of executive agencies, the volume of data exfiltrated, and the estimated cost of remedying the breaches; and (3) discusses the risk of cyber sabotage. Requires similar reports by the DOD Secretary to address incidents against DOD and military departments. Directs the Attorney General and the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to submit reports and annual updates describing investigations and prosecutions by the Department of Justice (DOJ) relating to cyber instrusions, computer or network compromise, or other forms of illegal hacking. Requires such reports to identify the resources devoted to the enforcement, investigation, and prosecution of such activities and to discuss legal impediments to prosecutions. Requires the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to submit annually, for three years, a report: (1) assessing the reporting of cyber risk or cyber incidents in financial statements by issuers of securities; and (2) evaluating SEC actions, including staff guidance. Directs the DHS Secretary to: (1) submit annual reports describing policies and procedures through which federal agencies, upon request, assist in defending a private sector entity's information networks against cyber threats that could result in loss of life or significant harm to the national economy or national security; (2) submit annually, for three years, a report describing vulnerabilities to, and the prevalence of, cyber threats in specified critical infrastructure sectors and the degree to which cooperative activities with DOD-developed private partners have been employed in each sector; (3) contract with the National Research Council or another federally funded research and development corporation for reports on the opportunities for development of new technologies or approaches to enhance the cybersecurity of critical infrastructure entities; and (4) submit annual reports on impediments to public awareness of common cyber security threats. Directs the Attorney General, in coordination with the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, to submit a report on: (1) whether federal courts have granted timely relief in matters relating to botnets and other cybercrime and threats; and (2) recommended changes to the rules of civil or criminal procedure, the resources, capabilities, and specialization of courts to which such cases may be assigned, and federal civil and criminal laws.

United We Stand to Hire Veterans Act

United States · United States Congress · 31 October 2013

United We Stand to Hire Veterans Act - Requires the Secretary of Labor, in conjunction with the Secretaries of Defense (DOD) and Veterans Affairs (VA), to consolidate government Internet portals on employment for current and former members of the Armed Forces into one comprehensive portal for the purposes of connecting members who are seeking employment with employers who want to employ them. Authorizes the Secretaries, in order to expedite implementation of such consolidated portal, to carry out pilot projects to evaluate the feasibility and advisability of various portal options by continuing or modifying existing programs.

A resolution recognizing the 40th anniversary of the withdrawal of United States combat troops from the Vietnam War and expressing renewed support for United States veterans of that conflict.

United States · United States Congress · 31 October 2013

Honors the 40th anniversary of the withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from the Vietnam War. Expresses renewed support for U.S. veterans of that conflict.

A resolution expressing the sense of the United States Senate that President Obama should issue a statement regarding spying on His Holiness, Pope Francis.

United States · United States Congress · 31 October 2013

Expresses the sense of the Senate that President Obama should directly address the allegation that his administration monitored the calls of Pope Francis or the conclave selecting the Pope.

Surveillance Transparency Act of 2013

United States · United States Congress · 30 October 2013

Surveillance Transparency Act of 2013 - Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) to expand government reporting requirements with respect to surveillance programs under FISA and the USA PATRIOT Act. Permits persons (any individual, including any officer or employee of the federal government, or any group, entity, association, corporation, or foreign power) receiving certain production orders to make public disclosures regarding the categories of orders to which they complied and the total number of users whose information was produced. Directs the Attorney General to report annually to Congress and to the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, in an unclassified form to be made available to the public, regarding orders approving electronic surveillance, pen register and trap and trace devices, the production of tangible things (commonly referred to as business records, including books, records, papers, documents, and other items), and the targeting of persons outside the United States other than U.S. persons. Sets forth the details to be included in various reports, including: the total number of applications made for orders and number of such orders granted, modified, or denied; good faith estimates of the total number of individual persons (any individuals, excluding any group, entity, association, corporation, or governmental entity) whose tangible things or electronic or wire communications information were obtained or produced; good faith estimates of the total number of U.S. persons (U.S. citizens or aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residence) whose information was obtained and the number of such persons whose information was subsequently reviewed or accessed by a federal officer, employee, or agent; the total number of computer-assisted search queries initiated by the federal government in certain databases under specified orders and the number of such queries whose search terms included information from a U.S. person; and the number of subscribers or customers of an electronic communication service or remote computing service whose tangible records were produced and the number of such persons whose records were subsequently reviewed by the federal government. Requires certain totals, when the total number is fewer than 500, to be expressed as a numerical range of "fewer than 500" instead of as an individual number. Directs the Attorney General to submit an annual certification confirming that in the course of the preceding year no orders entered for the production of tangible things were used to obtain the contents of an electronic or wire communication. Prohibits this Act from being construed to authorize: (1) the collection of any additional information, other than demographic data to comply with reporting requirements; or (2) additional appropriations. Permits persons and other entities receiving specified production orders to disclose to the public, every six months: (1) the total number of orders received and the percentage or total number of orders with which they complied; (2) the total number of individual persons, users, or accounts whose information of any kind was produced to the government or was obtained or collected by the government; and (3) with respect to specified categories of orders, the total number of individual persons, users, or accounts for whom the contents or records of electronic or wire communications, including certain subscriber records of remote computing services, were produced to the government or were obtained or collected by the government. Provides immunity from court actions to such persons and entities making voluntary disclosures under this Act.

Classified Veterans Access to Care Act

United States · United States Congress · 30 October 2013

Classified Veterans Access to Care Act - Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to: (1) establish standards and procedures to ensure that a veteran who participated in a classified mission or served in a sensitive unit while in the Armed Forces may access mental health care provided by the VA in a manner that fully accommodates the veteran's obligation to not improperly disclose classified information; (2) disseminate guidance to employees of the Veterans Health Administration, including mental health professionals, on such standards and procedures and on how to best engage such veterans during the course of mental health treatment with respect to classified information; and (3) ensure that an individual may elect to identify as such a veteran on an appropriate form.

Streamlining Support for Veterans and Military Caregivers Act

United States · United States Congress · 30 October 2013

Streamlining Support for Veterans and Military Caregivers Act - Expands the program of assistance and support services for caregivers of veterans to include all caregivers (currently allowed for family caregivers). Modifies the program of special compensation to members of the uniformed services for injuries and illness to allow such compensation for a serious injury or illness (currently allowed for a catastrophic injury or illness). Exempts payments of such compensation from taxation.

To amend titles 5, 10, and 32, United States Code, to require congressional approval before any change may be made to the oaths required for enlistment in the Armed Forces, appointment to an office in the civil service or uniformed services, or appointment as a cadet or midshipman at a military service academy, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 30 October 2013

Prohibits any change from being made to the oaths required for appointment to an office in the civil service or uniformed services, enlistment in the Armed Forces or National Guard, or admission to a U.S. military service academy, except by an Act of or authorization by Congress.

United We Stand to Hire Veterans Act

United States · United States Congress · 30 October 2013

United We Stand to Hire Veterans Act - Requires the Secretary of Labor, in conjunction with the Secretaries of Defense (DOD) and Veterans Affairs (VA), to consolidate government Internet portals on employment for current and former members of the Armed Forces into one comprehensive portal for the purposes of connecting members who are seeking employment with employers who want to employ them. Authorizes the Secretaries, in order to expedite implementation of such consolidated portal, to carry out pilot projects to evaluate the feasibility and advisability of various portal options by continuing or modifying existing programs.

To require the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, to develop guidelines regarding the use by the Secretaries of the military departments and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs of unofficial sources of information to determine the eligibility of a member or former member of the Armed Forces for benefits and decorations when the member's service records are incomplete because of damage to the records, including records damaged by a 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri.

United States · United States Congress · 30 October 2013

Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to develop guidelines for the use by the Secretaries of the military departments and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) of unofficial sources of information, including eyewitness statements, to determine the eligibility of a member or former member of the Armed Forces for benefits and decorations when the member's service records are incomplete because of damage to the records as a result of the 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri, or any subsequent incident while the records were in DOD's possession.

National Center for the Right to Counsel Act

United States · United States Congress · 30 October 2013

National Center for the Right to Counsel Act - Establishes in the District of Columbia a private, nonprofit corporation to be known as the National Center for the Right to Counsel to provide: (1) financial support to supplement, but not supplant, funding for public defense systems that provide legal assistance to indigent defendants in criminal cases, including systems run by state or local governments as well as private entities or individuals providing services under contract with such governments; and (2) financial and substantive support for training programs to improve delivery of legal services to indigent defendants. Requires each state to have a state advisory council to: (1) monitor, receive, and investigate complaints regarding the compliance of public defense systems that receive funding with applicable laws and regulations; (2) notify the Center of any apparent violations; and (3) collect data on the delivery of public defense services and facilitate information sharing between the state's public defense systems. Authorizes the Center to: (1) make grants and contracts; (2) undertake research, training, and technical assistance; and (3) serve as a clearinghouse for information. Prohibits the Center from interfering with attorneys' professional responsibilities to their clients or from abrogating the authority of states or other jurisdictions to enforce such standards. Requires the Center, to the extent feasible, to have services provided in an indigent defendant's principal language in areas where significant numbers of indigent defendants speak a language other than English. Directs the Center to make available to the public an online database that includes the contact information for all public defense systems in every state. Requires the Center to establish regional backup service centers to assist public defense systems with access to investigators, sentencing mitigation specialists, and information about available grants.

Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014

United States · United States Congress · 30 October 2013

Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 - Authorizes appropriations for FY2014 for the conduct of intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the: (1) Office of the Director of National Intelligence; (2) Central Intelligence Agency (CIA); (3) Department of Defense (DOD); (4) Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA); (5) National Security Agency (NSA); (6) Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force; (7) Coast Guard; (8) Departments of State, the Treasury, Energy (DOE), and Justice (DOJ); (9) Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); (10) Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); (11) National Reconnaissance Office; (12) National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency; and (13) Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Specifies that the amounts authorized and the authorized personnel ceilings as of September 30, 2014, for such activities are those specified in the classified Schedule of Authorizations, which shall be made available to the congressional appropriations committees and the President. Allows the Director of National Intelligence, with the approval of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), to authorize employment of civilian personnel in excess of the number authorized for FY2014 when necessary for the performance of important intelligence functions. Requires notification to the intelligence committees on the use of such authority. Authorizes appropriations for the Intelligence Community Management Account for FY2014, as well as for full-time personnel for elements within such Account. Authorizes appropriations for FY2014 for the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability Fund. Permits appropriations authorized by this Act for salary, pay, retirement, and other benefits for federal employees to be increased by such additional or supplemental amounts as necessary for increases in such compensation or benefits authorized by law. Prohibits the authorization of appropriations by this Act from being deemed to constitute authority to conduct any intelligence activity not otherwise authorized by the Constitution or laws of the United States.

To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make grants to eligible non-profit entities to establish clearinghouses for local information about employment opportunities and services for veterans.

United States · United States Congress · 30 October 2013

Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to make grants to non-profit organizations in the 75 U.S. cities with the largest populations of veterans to establish clearinghouses for veterans to receive information about available employment opportunities and services.

Injured and Amputee Veterans Bill of Rights

United States · United States Congress · 30 October 2013

Injured and Amputee Veterans Bill of Rights - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure that an Injured and Amputee Veterans Bill of Rights is printed on signage in accessible formats and displayed prominently and conspicuously in each Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) prosthetics and orthotics clinic. Requires VA employees who work at such clinics, as well as patient advocates of veterans who receive care there, to receive training on such Bill of Rights. Directs the Secretary to conduct outreach to inform veterans of such Bill of Rights. Includes in the Bill of Rights the right to: (1) access the highest quality prosthetic and orthotic care; (2) select the practitioner that best meets their prosthetic and orthotic needs; (3) timely and efficient prosthetic and orthotic care; and (4) transition and readjust to civilian life in an honorable manner, including by having ample access to vocational rehabilitation, employment programs, and housing assistance. Directs: (1) the Secretary to collect information relating to the alleged mistreatment of injured and amputee veterans, (2) the veteran liaison at each VA medical center to submit quarterly to the VA's Chief Consultant of Prosthetics and Sensory Aids a report on such information, and (3) the Chief Consultant to investigate and address such information.

Spouses of Heroes Education Act

United States · United States Congress · 30 October 2013

Spouses of Heroes Education Act - Entitles to post-9/11 veterans' educational assistance the spouse (under current law, only the child) of a person who, on or after September 11, 2001, dies in the line of duty while serving on active duty as a member of the Armed Forces. Terminates such spouse's entitlement on the earlier of: (1) the date that is 15 years after the date on which the member died, and (2) the date of the spouse's remarriage. Requires an individual entitled to such assistance and also to veterans' educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill to elect a single coverage.

Veterans Education Counseling Act

United States · United States Congress · 30 October 2013

Veterans Education Counseling Act - Modifies provisions relating to educational and vocational counseling for veterans to provide a program of counseling services to be known as the Academic Counseling and Educational Information Service. Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to: (1) make available to veterans information about the definitions, eligibility requirements, and services provided by such counseling and how such counseling services differ from those provided as part of rehabilitation and readjustment assistance programs for veterans; and (2) maintain a website on which a person is able to request such counseling services. Establishes as the primary goal of such counseling services to provide individuals with assistance in: (1) pursuing postsecondary education and training opportunities, (2) obtaining information about and data on such opportunities, (3) selecting a program of education or training, and (4) addressing other needs relating to education.

Veterans' Entry to Apprenticeship Act

United States · United States Congress · 30 October 2013

Veterans' Entry to Apprenticeship Act - Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to treat a pre-apprenticeship program as a program of apprenticeship, for purposes of providing educational assistance, if such pre-apprenticeship program: (1) is recognized under or compliant with relevant state standards for a postsecondary pre-apprenticeship program, or (2) is in a state that does not require such standards and the curriculum of the program is approved by a sponsor who certifies that the program will prepare an individual with skills and competencies needed to enroll in a registered apprenticeship program and the pre-apprenticeship program maintains conduct and attendance policies in accordance with such sponsor. Requires that a covered individual enrolled in a pre-apprenticeship program receive the same amount and kind of educational assistance the individual would receive if the individual were enrolled in a program of apprenticeship, with an exception of specified housing assistance if the individual is not paid as part of such pre-apprenticeship program. .