The world's political record
Records whose title is actually about this topic. Use a country filter if the list is still too broad.
251 records in US in 2003
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2003
Native American Veterans Cemetery Act of 2003 - Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make grants to any tribal organization for establishing, expanding, or improving veterans' cemeteries on trust lands owned by, or held in trust for, the organization.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2003
Keep America Secure Act - Prohibits the Secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security from purchasing any equipment that contains electronic components that are not manufactured in the United States. Allows the Secretary concerned to waive this prohibition where its application would be inconsistent with the public interest or would result in unreasonable costs to the Department of Defense or Homeland Security.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2003
Military Retiree Survivor Comfort Act - Requires the United States to forgive any overpayment of military retired or retainer pay for any period after the date of death of the recipient through the last day of the month in which such death occurs if such payment is electronically deposited in an accredited financial institution to a joint account bearing the name of the decedent and the decedent's designated beneficiary. Makes the effective date of annuity payments under the Survivor Benefit Plan the first day of the first month beginning after the death of the person for whom an overpayment is forgiven.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2003
Utah Test and Training Range Protection Act - States that nothing in this Act or the Wilderness Act shall: (1) preclude low-level overflights and operations of military aircraft, missiles, or unmanned aerial vehicles over the Utah Test and Training Range, including the Dugway Proving Ground; (2) preclude the designation of new or expansion of existing units of special use airspace or the use or establishment of military training routes over such area; (3) prevent any required maintenance of existing communications, instrumentation, or electronic tracking systems in the area or the addition of communications, instrumentation, or equipment necessary for effective testing and training upon specified determinations by the Secretary of the Interior; or (4) preclude the continuation of a current memorandum of understanding between the Departments of the Interior and Air Force with respect to emergency access and response within the area. Directs the Secretary to develop, maintain, and revise land use plans for Federal lands located in the area, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense. Limits the issuance of rights-of-way in the area. Designates certain Federal lands in Tooele County, Utah, as the Cedar Mountain Wilderness Area. Withdraws such lands from all forms of entry, appropriation, or disposal under the public land laws, including mining and mineral and geothermal leasing. Authorizes fish and wildlife management and livestock grazing within such areas, as appropriate.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2003
Directs the Secretary of the Army and the American Battle Monuments Commission to authorize: (1) the next of kin of the late Alfred J. Laitres to disinter his remains from the Lorraine American Cemetery in St. Avold, France; and (2) the transfer of custody of such remains to such next of kin. Prohibits the use of Federal funds for such disinterment and transfer.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2003
Directs the Secretary of the Army and the American Battle Monuments Commission to authorize the next of kin of Sergeant Roaul R. Prieto, U.S. Army, to disinter his remains from the American Ardennes Cemetery, Belgium, and to take custody of such remains. Prohibits the use of Federal funds for such disinterment and transfer of custody.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2003
Veterans Benefits and Pensions Protection Act of 2003 - Includes as a prohibited assignment of veterans' benefits any agreement entered into by a beneficiary under which another person acquires for consideration the right to receive any compensation, pension, or dependency and indemnity compensation of such beneficiary. Provides criminal penalties for violations. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct an outreach program to inform veterans and other potential recipients of such compensation or pension of the prohibition against the assignment of such benefits, including information on various schemes to evade the prohibition and means of avoiding such schemes.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2003
Expresses condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of the late David Christopher Kelly, Ph.D. (a scientific advisor to the Proliferation and Arms Control Secretariat of the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defense, charged with dismantling Iraq's banned chemical, biological, and ballistic programs through the United Nations Special Commission, who also aided in reducing the danger of biological weapons in Russia).
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2003
Expresses the sense of Congress that television and radio stations should recognize veterans through a public service announcement or a moment of silence on November 11 at 11 a.m. each year and that the day should be used as an occasion to educate children about the contributions of veterans in defending freedom.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2003
Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2004 - Makes appropriations for FY 2004 for: (1) the Department of Veterans Affairs; (2) the Department of Housing and Urban Development; (3) the American Battle Monuments Commission; (4) the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board; (5) the Department of the Treasury, Community Development Financial Institutions Fund Program Account; (6) the Consumer Product Safety Commission; (7) the Corporation for National and Community Service; (8) the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims; (9) the Department of Defense-Civil; (10) the Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health; (11) the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry; (12) the Environmental Protection Agency; (13) the Hazardous Substance Superfund, including transfers of funds; (14) the Executive Office of the President; (15) the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; (16) the General Services Administration; (17) the Interagency Council on the Homeless; (18) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; (19) the National Credit Union Administration; (20) the National Science Foundation; (21) the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation; and (22) the Selective Service System. Specifies certain uses and limits on or prohibitions against the use of funds appropriated by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2003
Riayan Tejeda Memorial Act of 2003 - Authorizes naturalization without regard to specified Immigration and Nationality Act requirements for an alien or noncitizen national of the United States who: (1) served honorably in a combat zone in connection with Operation Iraqi Freedom; and (2) if separated from such service, was not separated except under honorable conditions. Prohibits imposition of any Federal or State naturalization fee. Provides for overseas naturalization proceedings for members of the armed forces. Retains immediate relative status for the alien wife, child, or parent of a U.S. citizen who died from injury or disease incurred while serving honorably in such combat zone. (Requires petition filing within two years of such death.) States that an application for status adjustment by the alien wife, child, or parent of an alien member of the armed forces who was granted service-related posthumous citizenship based upon service in such zone may be adjudicated as if the death had not occurred. (Requires application filing prior to such death.) Treats the spouse, child, or parent of a lawful permanent resident who was granted service-related posthumous citizenship based upon service in such zone as a valid petitioner for immediate relative status. (Requires self-petitions within two years of such death.) Permits such aliens to apply for permanent resident status adjustment. Waives specified grounds of inadmissibility. Gives priority to naturalization applications as set forth in this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2003
Improving Access to Prescription Drug Benefits for Veterans Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a prescription drug benefit program under which drugs and medicines are furnished to eligible veterans on prescription of a duly licensed physician or other authorized health care professional who is not an employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs, subject to the payment of any required premium and copayment. Makes eligible for the program any veteran who: (1) is enrolled in the Department health care system; (2) seeks an initial appointment with a Department physician or other health-care provider to obtain a prescription; and (3) can not obtain such an appointment until more than 30 days later. Requires the Secretary to: (1) establish required premiums and copayments; (2) maintain records of the costs of the program; and (3) implement a computerized patient profile system for program participants.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2003
Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996 to provide for the awarding of the Purple Heart to members held as prisoners of war before April 25, 1962, who were wounded while in captivity or who, while in captivity, were subjected to deprivation of food and medical treatment and to other forms of mistreatment. Requires the Secretary of the military department concerned to inform the former prisoner that historical information about the prison camp and other appropriate circumstances may be considered by the Secretary in evaluating an application for award of the Purple Heart and that the former prisoner may submit such information. Directs such Secretary to take into account the length of time that the award applicant was held in captivity to help determine whether the former prisoner was likely to have been wounded, starved, or denied medical treatment.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2003
Expresses support for designation of "Hire a Veteran Week." Encourages the President to issue a proclamation calling upon employers, labor organizations, veterans service organizations, and Federal, State, and local governmental agencies to lend their support to increase employment of men and women who have served in the armed forces.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2003
Declares the sense of Congress that: (1) the U.S. military should not become involved in the Liberian civil war, either alone or as part of a United Nations peacekeeping force; and (2) a regional effort, especially including the countries neighboring Liberia, would be the most effective way to end the tragic conflict in Liberia and such effort should be encouraged.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2003
Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit falsely pretending to be an officer or employee acting under the authority or law of the United States with intent to harass, alarm, shock, terrify, or cause mental distress to another person regarding the military status of such person's relative.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2003
Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a three-year pilot program on the feasibility of electronically sharing individually identifiable health information of patients of a facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Iowa with State veterans homes.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2003
Dr. James Allen Disabled Veterans Equity Act - Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to pay special disability compensation due to a veteran's loss of paired organs when the veteran has suffered impairment of vision compensable to a degree of ten percent or more (currently, blindness) in one eye as a result of a service-connected disability and impairment of vision (currently, blindness) in the other eye as a result of a non-service-connected disability not the result of the veteran's own willful misconduct.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2003
Honors Igor I. Sikorsky as a national aviation pioneer. Recognizes Mr. Sikorsky's vision, determination, and immeasurable contribution to the town of Stratford, Connecticut, the United States of America, and the global community. Recognizes the legacy left by Mr. Sikorsky, reflected in the ongoing contributions of the Sikorsky Aircraft Company to the Nation's aviation economy and strong national defense.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2003
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Constitution provides that all individual citizens have the right to keep and bear arms, which right supersedes the power and authority of any government.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2003
Amends the District of Columbia Code to make the Mayor of the District of Columbia (currently, the President of the United States) the Commander-in-Chief of the militia of the District. Makes conforming amendments to comply with this Act to: (1) Title 10 (Armed Forces); (2) Title 32 (National Guard); (3) the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993; and (4) the District of Columbia Home Rule Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2003
Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, as of October 2, 2004, to give a higher priority in the provision of hospital care and medical services under the veterans' patient enrollment system to veterans who are eligible for treatment as a low-income family under the United States Housing Act of 1937 for the area in which the veterans reside, regardless of whether such veterans are otherwise treated as single person families or families under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2003
Declares the sense of Congress that: (1) it is in the U.S. interest to remain engaged in Iraq in order to ensure a peaceful, stable, unified Iraq with a representative government; (2) the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and other appropriate international and nongovernmental organizations should provide assistance to the Coalition in Iraq in order to contribute to international security and stability, general and complete disarmament, and global economic development; (3) the President should request formally and expeditiously that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) raise a force for deployment in post-war Iraq to assist in the development and training of the new national Iraqi military and civilian police force; and (4) the President should call on the United Nations to urge its member states to provide military forces and civilian police to promote stability and security in Iraq and resources to help rebuild and administer Iraq, and for the development and training of the new national Iraqi military and civilian police force.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2003
Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2004 - Makes appropriations for FY 2004 for: (1) the Export-Import Bank of the United States; (2) the Overseas Private Investment Corporation; (3) the Trade and Development Agency; (4) expenses of the President in carrying out certain programs under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961; (5) U.S. Agency for International Development; (6) various bilateral economic assistance programs for foreign developing countries; (7) expenses of the President for the Millenium Challenge Account; (8) the Inter-American Foundation, the African Development Foundation, and the Peace Corps; (9) international narcotics control and law enforcement and the Andean Counterdrug Initiative; (10) migration and refugee assistance; (11) nonproliferation, anti-terrorism, demining and related programs; (12) Department of the Treasury for international affairs technical assistance and debt restructuring; (13) certain U.S. military assistance programs for foreign countries; (14) U.S. contributions to certain international financial institutions; and (15) international programs and organizations. Sets forth certain limits and prohibitions on the use of appropriations for specified activities.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2003
Prohibits the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from taking any action proposed under the Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services initiative of the Department of Veterans Affairs: (1) unless the Secretary has notified Congress of the intention to take such action; and (2) until the later of the expiration of a 60-day period, or 30 days of continuous congressional session, after such notification.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2003
Military Families Financial Security Act - Amends title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) of the Social Security Act, with respect to income eligibility for SSI, to provide for the treatment of cash military compensation other than basic pay as earned income, and of certain housing payments as in-kind support and maintenance. Expands SSI eligibility to disabled children who are born to or who become blind or disabled applicants for SSI benefits while living with parents who are military personnel stationed outside the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2003
Directs the Secretary of the Navy to transfer the U.S.S. NARWHAL to the National Submarine Science Discovery Center in Newport, Kentucky, after removing the reactor compartment and other classified and sensitive military equipment.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2003
State Defense Force Improvement Act of 2003 - Recognizes State defense forces as integral military components of the Nation's homeland security effort, while reaffirming that such forces remain entirely State regulated, organized, and equipped and recognizing that they will be used for homeland security purposes exclusively at the local level under State law. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to coordinate homeland security efforts with, and provide assistance (including the use of Department of Defense (DOD) property, equipment, and facilities) to, a State defense force, upon request. Makes participation by a State defense force in a DOD training program at the discretion of the State. Requires a State to reimburse DOD for training assistance costs. Makes the State liable for any injuries or damages incurred by a defense force member while engaged in training activities or State active duty.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2003
Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 2004 - Makes FY 2004 appropriations to the Department of the Army and its Corps of Engineers for: (1) civil functions relating to rivers and harbors, flood control, and shore protection; (2) certain flood control projects on the Mississippi River and its tributaries, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee; (3) flood control and coastal emergencies; (4) the navigable waters and wetlands regulatory program; (5) formerly utilized sites remedial action program; and (6) general expenses of the Office of Chief of Engineers. Makes FY 2004 appropriations to the Department of the Interior for: (1) the Central Utah Project Completion Account; (2) the Bureau of Reclamation for water and related resources; (3) the Central Valley Project Restoration Fund; (4) a grant program to Indian tribal entities to protect water resources; (5) an endangered species collaborative program; (6) the Tularosa Basin National Desalination Research Facility; and (7) the Hawaii Water Resources Study. Makes FY 2004 appropriations to the Department of Energy (DOE) for: (1) energy supply programs; (2) non-defense site acceleration completion; (3) uranium uranium enrichment facility decontamination and decommissioning; (4) non-defense environmental services; (5) general DOE science activities; (6) nuclear waste disposal; (7) DOE administration and its Office of the Inspector General; (8) National Nuclear Security Administration weapons activities; (9) defense nuclear nonproliferation activities; (10) naval reactors activities; (11) Office of the Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration; (12) defense site acceleration completion; (13) defense environmental services; (14) defense environmental services; (15) defense nuclear waste disposal; (16) geographical power marketing administrations; (17) hydroelectric facilities at the Falcon and Amistad Dams, and (18) the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Makes FY 2004 appropriations to the: (1) Appalachian Regional Commission; (2) Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board; (3) Delta Regional Authority; (4) Denali Commission; (5) Nuclear Regulatory Commission and its Office of the Inspector General; and (6) Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2003
Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2004 - Makes appropriations for FY 2004 for: (1) the Export-Import Bank of the United States; (2) the Overseas Private Investment Corporation; (3) the Trade and Development Agency; (4) expenses of the President in carrying out certain programs under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961; (5) U.S. Agency for International Development; (6) various bilateral economic assistance programs for foreign developing countries; (7) the Inter-American Foundation, the African Development Foundation, and the Peace Corps; (8) international narcotics control and law enforcement and the Andean Counterdrug Initiative; (9) migration and refugee assistance; (10) nonproliferation, anti-terrorism, demining and related programs; (11) Department of the Treasury for international affairs technical assistance and debt restructuring; (12) expenses of the President for Millenium Challenge Assistance to certain countries through the Millenium Challenge Corporation (which the President is hereby authorized to establish); (13) certain U.S. military assistance programs for foreign countries; (14) U.S. contributions to certain international financial institutions; and (15) international programs and organizations. Sets forth certain limits and prohibitions on the use of appropriations for specified activities.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2003
Citizens' Self-Defense Act of 2003 - Declares that a person not prohibited under the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act from receiving a firearm shall have the right to obtain firearms for security and to use firearms in defense of: (1) self or family against a reasonably perceived threat of imminent and unlawful infliction of serious bodily injury; (2) self or family in the course of the commission by another person of a violent felony against the person or a member of the person's family; and (3) the person's home in the course of the commission of a felony by another person. Authorizes persons whose rights under this Act have been violated to bring an action in U.S. district court against the United States, any State, or any person for damages, injunctive relief, and such other relief as the court deems appropriate. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) the award of attorney's fees; and (2) the statute of limitations.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2003
John Rishel Geothermal Steam Act Amendments of 2003 - Amends the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to replace requirements governing bids and competitive bids with leasing procedures under which the Secretary of the Interior shall: (1) accept nominations at any time from qualified companies and individuals; (2) hold biennial competitive lease sales for lands located in areas for which such nominations are pending; and (3) make available for noncompetitive leasing for a two-year period any lands for which a competitive lease sale is held, but for which no competitive lease sale bids have been received. Cites circumstances under which lands leased exclusively for qualified development and direct utilization of geothermal resources shall be leased to the first qualified applicant. Permits existing lessees to convert previous leases to reflect the revisions of this Act. Reduces lease royalty percentages accruing from electricity produced using geothermal steam and associated geothermal resources. Mandates that 100 percent of such royalties received by the United States be paid at the rate of 75 percent to the host States and 25 percent to the pertinent county. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to reimburse certain persons for the costs of project-level analysis, documentation, or related study required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Requires an update of the 1978 Assessment of Geothermal Resources. Modifies guidelines governing: (1) cooperative or unit plans of development or operation of geothermal fields; and (2) royalties on byproducts. Repeals authorities of the Secretary to readjust terms, conditions, rentals, and royalties. Credits certain annual rentals towards royalty payments. Revamps lease terms and work commitment requirements. States that all public lands under the jurisdiction of a Secretary of a military department shall be open to the operation of the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 and related laws and development and utilization of geothermal resources without the necessity for further action by the Secretary or Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2003
Resolution of the Ethiopia-Eritrea Border Dispute Act of 2003 - Expresses the sense of Congress that both Ethiopia and Eritrea should take all appropriate actions to implement the Algiers Agreements, including by accepting the "Delimitation Decision" issued by the neutral Boundary Commission on April 13, 2002, with respect to the boundary between the two countries. Declares that: (1) Congress expresses its support for the Boundary Commission established by the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and calls on the international community to continue to support the United Nations trust fund established to facilitate the process of demarcation between Ethiopia and Eritrea and the economic and social transition of affected communities to new borders determined by the Commission; (2) it shall be U.S. policy to limit U.S. assistance for Ethiopia or Eritrea if either country is not in compliance with, or is not taking significant steps to comply with, the terms and conditions of the Algiers Agreements; and (3) Congress strongly condemns recent statements by senior Ethiopian officials criticizing the Boundary Commission's decision and calls on the Government of Ethiopia to immediately end its intransigence and fully cooperate with the Commission. States that economic and military assistance for Ethiopia or Eritrea may only be provided for any period of time for which the President determines that either Ethiopia or Eritrea (as the case may be) is in compliance with, or is taking significant steps to comply with, the terms and conditions of the Algiers Agreements. Exempts from such restriction humanitarian assistance (such as food or medical assistance), peacekeeping assistance, counterterrorism initiatives, assistance to protect or promote human rights, and assistance to prevent, treat, and control HIV/AIDS.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2003
Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 2004 - Makes FY 2004 appropriations to the Department of the Army and its Corps of Engineers for: (1) civil functions relating to rivers and harbors, flood control; (2) river and harbor, flood control, shore protection and aquatic ecosystem restoration; (3) certain flood control projects on the Mississippi River and its tributaries (including Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee); (4) the navigable waters and wetlands regulatory program; (5) the formerly utilized sites remedial action program; and (6) flood control and coastal emergencies. Makes FY 2004 appropriations to the Department of the Interior for: (1) the Central Utah Project; (2) the Bureau of Reclamation for water and related resources; and (3) the Central Valley Project Restoration Fund. Makes FY 2004 appropriations to the Department of Energy (DOE) for: (1) energy supply programs; (2) non-defense site acceleration completion; (3) non-defense environmental services (4) uranium enrichment decontamination and decommissioning; (5) general DOE science activities; (6) nuclear waste disposal; (7) DOE administration and its Office of the Inspector General; (8) atomic energy defense weapons; (9) defense nuclear nonproliferation; (10) naval reactors; (11) Office of the Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration; (12) defense site acceleration completion; (13) defense environmental services; (14) defense nuclear waste disposal; (15) geographical power marketing administrations of DOE (including hydroelectric facilities at the Falcon and Amistad Dams); and (16) the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Makes FY 2004 appropriations to: (1) the Appalachian Regional Commission; (2) the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board; (3) Delta Regional Authority; (4) the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and its Office of the Inspector General; and (5) the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2003
Expanding Education for Military Families Act of 2003 - Removes the requirement that, in order to be eligible to transfer educational entitlement earned under the Montgomery GI Bill's educational assistance program to one or more military dependents, a member must have, or be participating in, a critical military skill or specialty. Requires an individual to make an election not to enroll in such program during the 180-day period beginning on the date the individual enters into active-duty or reserve service.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2003
Authorizes the President to issue, posthumously, a commission as major general, United States Army, in the name of William Mitchell, a former colonel who resigned his commission on February 1, 1926.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2003
Declares the sense of Congress that: (1) it is in the U.S. national security interest to remain engaged in Iraq in order to ensure a peaceful, stable, unified Iraq with a representative government; (2) the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and other appropriate international and nongovernmental organizations should provide assistance to the Coalition in Iraq in order to contribute to international security and stability, general and complete disarmament, and global economic development; (3) the President should consider requesting formally and expeditiously that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) raise a force for deployment in post-war Iraq similar to what it has done in Afghanistan, Bosnia, and Kosovo, and should urge NATO allies and other countries to provide troops and police to Coalition efforts in Iraq; and (4) the President should consider calling on the United Nations to urge its member states to provide military forces and civilian police to promote stability and security in Iraq and resources to help rebuild and administer Iraq.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2003
Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to construct a medical facility on available Federal land at the Defense Supply Center, Columbus, Ohio.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2003
National Defense Rail Act - Requires studies or assessments of: (1) security risks associated with freight and intercity passenger rail transportation; (2) security priorities; (3) rail crossing delay security issues; (4) existing rail safety regulations; (5) foreign rail transport security programs; and (6) the feasibility of passenger, baggage, and cargo screening. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) establish a national high-speed ground transportation policy; and (2) provide 100 percent financial assistance to develop and implement high-speed rail corridors according to designated priorities, including the elimination of hazards of high-speed railway-highway crossings. Requires such projects to comply with Buy American and competitive bidding requirements, and specified labor standards, including the prevailing wage requirements of the Davis-Bacon Act. Defines the national rail passenger transportation system. Authorizes Amtrak to operate an intercity rail service or route not included in such system. Declares that nothing in this Act is intended to preclude Amtrak from restoring, improving, or developing non-high-speed intercity passenger rail service. Repeals the requirement that Amtrak be self-sufficient. Authorizes additional appropriations for Amtrak for retirement of principal and interest on its debt service, and for improving accessibility for the elderly and people with disabilities, including compliance with environmental regulations. Authorizes appropriations for the Northeast Corridor, long and short distance trains, and State-supported routes. Directs the Secretary to re-establish the Northeast Corridor Safety Committee. Revises requirements concerning the Amtrak board of directors. Requires an independent audit of Amtrak operations and the development of a five-year financial plan. Revises requirements of the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 concerning loans and loan guarantees. Directs the Secretary to establish a rail passenger cooperative research program, including an advisory board.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 2003
Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003 - Grants congressional approval to the "Compact of Free Association, as amended between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Federated States of Micronesia" (U.S.-FSMCompact) and the "Compact of Free Association, as amended between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands" (U.S.-RMI Compact), as well as specified subsidiary agreements and amended subsidiary agreements. Directs the President, upon the request of the RMI Government, to continue to provide special medical care and logistical support for the remaining members of the population of Rongelap and Utrik who were exposed to radiation resulting from the 1954 United States thermo-nuclear "Bravo" test. Sets forth requirements regarding: (1) internationally recognized human rights in foreign countries; (2) the rights of bona fide naturalized citizens of FSM and RMI to enter the United States; (3) the machine-readability and security of FSM and RMI passports; (4) information sharing with the United States in enforcing criminal and security-related grounds of inadmissibility and deportability under the Immigration and Naturalization Act; (5) grants to specified territories and Hawaii to aid in defraying costs of services to qualified nonimmigrants from RMI, FSM, or the Republic of Palau; (6) appointment of an Interagency Group on Freely Associated States' Affairs; (7) the land-grant status of the College of Micronesia; (8) nonliability of the FSM and RMI Governments for debts owed the United States by the Government of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands; (9) use of Department of Defense medical facilities by medical authorities of the FSM and RMI Governments; (10) Federal agency technical assistance to FSM and RMI; (11) funds for FSM Government programs for the control and prevention of communicable diseases; (12) local employment and job training requirements of construction contracts in FSM and RMI; and (13) further compensation for the adverse economic impact of certain trade and tariff requirements of the Compact of Free Association Act of 1985. Declares that no judgment of the courts of FSM, RMI, or the Republic of Palau against the United States shall be honored or recognized by the United States unless it is consistent with U.S. interpretation of international agreements relevant to the judgment.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 2003
Compact-Impact Reimbursement Act - Amends the Compact of Free Association Act of 1985 to authorize and appropriate to the Secretary of the Interior specified funds for FY 2004 through 2023 for grants to Guam, Hawaii, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa to aid in defraying costs incurred by their governments as a result of increased demands placed on health, educational, social, or public safety services, or infrastructure related to such services, due to the residence of qualified immigrants. Provides food stamp eligibility for such immigrants and qualified nonimmigrants. Authorizes appropriations for grants to the Governments of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Palua, Guam, Hawaii, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa for establishing or continuing programs for the control and prevention of communicable diseases, including cholera and Hansen's Disease. Directs the Secretaries of Defense and Health and Human Services to make medical facilities of the Department of Defense and the National Health Service Corps, respectively, available to the residents of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palua. Requires the United States to make available to the Governments of such States and Republics necessary sums for the payment of obligations incurred for the use of such facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 2003
Amends the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940 to apply a provision limiting the rate of interest on student loans during a period of military service to all student loans, including loans under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2003
Requires the metal content of the Medal of Honor, awarded by the President to members of the armed forces and Coast Guard, to be 90 percent gold and ten percent alloy.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2003
Removes the requirement that a service-connected military retiree's disability must be combat-related in order for such retiree to be eligible for special compensation through the Department of Defense. Reduces from 60 to 50 percent the disability rating required in order to be eligible for such compensation.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2003
Designates a certain segment of Pennsylvania State Route 60 and a segment of U.S. Routes 22 and 30 as part of the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways as Interstate Route 376. Redesignates Interstate Route 279 from Interstate Route 79 east to Interstate Route 376 at Point State Park, Pennsylvania, as Interstate Route 376/279.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2003
Providing Our Support to Troops Act of 2003 - Allows personal correspondence or certain parcels to be mailed free of postage if such matter is: (1) sent from within an area served by a U.S. post office; (2) addressed to an active-duty member of the armed forces or a civilian authorized to use postal services at military installations who holds a position or performs a function in support of military operations; and (3) addressed either to such an individual at a military post office established in an overseas area where the armed forces are engaged in operations involving armed conflict against a hostile foreign force, or to an individual who is hospitalized for a disease or injury resulting from service in such an area. Prohibits the free mailing privilege for any mail matter containing any advertising.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2003
Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2004 - Appropriates funds for FY 2004 for the Department of Defense (DOD) for: (1) military personnel; (2) operation and maintenance (including for overseas contingency operations, the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, environmental restoration, overseas humanitarian, disaster, and civic aid, and former Soviet Union threat reduction); (3) procurement (including for shipbuilding and conversion and purchases under the Defense Production Act of 1950); (4) research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E); (5) revolving and management funds; (6) DOD medical and health care programs; (7) chemical agents and munitions destruction; (8) drug interdiction and counter-drug activities; (9) the Office of the Inspector General; (10) the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System Fund; (11) the Intelligence Community Management Account; (12) the Kaho'olawe Island Conveyance, Remediation, and Environmental Restoration Fund; and (13) the National Security Education Trust Fund. Specifies authorized, restricted, and prohibited uses of appropriated funds. Rescinds specified funds from various accounts under prior defense appropriations Acts, including funds made available for the Iraq Freedom Fund under the Emergency Wartime Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2003. Prohibits the use of appropriated funds for: (1) approving or licensing the sale of the F-22 advanced tactical aircraft to any foreign government; (2) RDT&E, procurement, or deployment of nuclear armed interceptors of a missile defense system; or (3) research and development on the Terrorism Information Awareness program (requires specific authorization by law for the deployment or implementation of such program). Reduces the total amount appropriated in this Act in order to limit excessive growth in the procurement of advisory and assistance services.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2003
Anti-Hypocrisy Act of 2003 - Amends the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) to provide that uncompensated consensual sexual activity between adults and cohabitation by adults shall not be UCMJ violations.
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 2003
Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2004 - Makes appropriations for FY 2004 for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and related agencies. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds and transfers of funds. Department of Labor Appropriations Act, 2004 - Makes appropriations for FY 2004 to the Department of Labor for: (1) the Employment and Training Administration, training and employment services; (2) community service employment for older Americans; (3) Federal unemployment benefits and allowances; (4) State unemployment insurance and employment service operations; (5) advances to the Unemployment Trust Fund and the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund; (6) employment and training program administration; (7) the Employee Benefits Security Administration; (8) the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation; (9) the Employment Standards Administration; (10) certain special benefits, including ones for disabled coal miners; (11) the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Fund; (12) the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund; (13) the Occupational Safety and Health Administration; (14) the Mine Safety and Health Administration; (15) the Bureau of Labor Statistics; (16) the Office of Disability Employment Policy; (17) departmental management; (18) veterans employment and training; (19) the Office of Inspector General; and (20) a working capital fund for a new core accounting system. Makes appropriations for FY 2004 to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for: (1) the Health Resources and Services Administration, for specified health resources and services activities; (2) health education assistance loans; (3) the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program Trust Fund; (4) the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP), for disease control, research, and training; (5) the National Institutes of Health (NIH), including the John E. Fogarty International Center, the National Library of Medicine, and the Office of the Director; (6) the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, for substance abuse and mental health services; (7) the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; (8) the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for grants to States for Medicaid, payments to health care trust funds, program management, and the Health Maintenance Organization Loan and Loan Guarantee Fund; (9) the Administration for Children and Families for payments to States for child support enforcement and family support programs; (10) low income home energy assistance; (11) refugee and entrant assistance; (12) payments to States for the child care and development block grant; (13) the social services block grant; (14) disabled voter services; (15) children and families services programs; (16) promoting safe and stable families, through family preservation and support; (17) payments to States for foster care and adoption assistance; (18) the Administration on Aging; (19) the Office of the Secretary for general departmental management; (20) the Office of Inspector General; (21) the Office for Civil Rights; (22) policy research; (23) retirement pay and medical benefits for Public Health Service commissioned officers, and medical care of dependents and retired personnel; and (24) the public health and social services emergency fund, for expenses related to countering potential biological, disease, and chemical threats to civilian populations, and for activities to ensure a year-round influenza vaccine production capacity and the development and implementation of rapidly expandable influenza vaccine production technologies. Department of Education Appropriations Act, 2004 - Makes appropriations for FY 2004 to the Department of Education for: (1) education for the disadvantaged; (2) impact aid; (3) school improvement programs; (4) Indian education; (5) innovation and improvement activities; (6) safe schools and citizenship education; (7) English language acquisition and language enhancement; (8) special education; (9) rehabilitation services and disability research; (10) special institutions for persons with disabilities, including the American Printing House for the Blind, the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, the Kendall Demonstration Elementary School, the Model Secondary School for the Deaf, and Gallaudet University; (11) vocational and adult education; (12) certain student financial assistance programs, as well as Federal administrative expenses for such programs (setting a maximum individual Pell Grant amount); (13) specified higher education programs; (14) Howard University; (15) the college housing and academic facilities loans program; (16) the historically Black college and university capital financing program account; (17) the Institute of Education Sciences; (18) departmental management and program administration; (19) the Office for Civil Rights; and (20) the Office of the Inspector General. Makes appropriations for FY 2004 to the: (1) Armed Forces Retirement Home; (2) Corporation for National and Community Service, for domestic volunteer service programs and operating expenses; (3) Corporation for Public Broadcasting; (4) Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service; (5) Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission; (6) Institute of Museum and Library Services; (7) Medicare Payment Advisory Commission; (8) National Commission on Libraries and Information Science; (9) National Council on Disability; (10) National Labor Relations Board; (11) National Mediation Board; (12) Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission; (13) Railroad Retirement Board for the dual benefits payments account, Federal payments to the railroad retirement accounts, administration, and the Office of Inspector General; (14) Social Security Administration for payments to the Social Security trust funds, the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program, administrative expenses, and the Office of Inspector General; and (15) U.S. Institute of Peace.
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 2003
Earmarks specified funds authorized for defense-wide research, development, test, and evaluation under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 for a prototype, multi-role, long-range sniper system capable of firing a 30-millimeter projectile to a range of approximately 4,500 yards.