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Law· HJRESH.J.Res. 63 (108th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 8 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.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 240 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 2003
Commends: (1) the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for successfully negotiating and signing in Accra, Ghana, on June 17, 2003, the "Agreement on Ceasefire and Cessation of Hostilities Between the Government of the Republic of Liberia and Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy and the Movement for Democracy of Liberia" (Ceasefire Agreement); (2) the Parties to the Ceasefire Agreement; and (3) the Liberian civil society and Liberian communities in exile for continuing to strive for peace and democracy in their country and for sustaining families unable to survive economically under President Taylor's corrupt regime with financial remittances and for steadfast advocacy for their country; Calls on all parties to the Ceasefire Agreement to: (1) refrain from committing, aiding, abetting, or permitting, any acts in violation of the Agreement; and (2) facilitate the sustained delivery of humanitarian relief supplies throughout the country, ensure the safety and freedom of movement of all humanitarian workers, abide by the Ceasefire Agreement timetable, and form a transitional national government. Calls on President Charles Taylor to implement his June 4, 2003, statement that he would seek "a national unity government immediately" and be willing to remove himself from power in the interest of transition to peace for the Liberian people. Commends the Special Court for Sierra Leone for its work to bring justice to the people of Sierra Leone who suffered in the civil war sponsored by President Charles Taylor and fueled by the trade in "conflict diamonds". Calls upon the U.S. Government to: (1) to assume a leadership role in the international community through its membership in the International Contact Group for Liberia to help guide the Ceasefire Agreement and subsequent peace agreement, political transition and establishment of a sustainable democracy with good governance, and economic reconstruction processes; and (2) play a strong and proactive role in supporting the Ceasefire Agreement and peace and reconciliation initiatives. Calls upon the Secretary of State to: (1) take a lead role in collaboration with ECOWAS in negotiating the establishment of the Joint Verification Team under the Ceasefire Agreement; (2) provide leadership and participate in negotiations to establish the Joint Monitoring Committee to supervise the ceasefire; and (3) together with the United Nations, ECOWAS, and the African Union to establish and deploy an International Stabilization Force that will initially monitor the peace agreement and provide security for humanitarian relief efforts. Calls upon the Secretary of Defense to: (1) provide military experts, personnel, logistical support, equipment and funds to support the Joint Verification Team; (2) provide financial, logistical, personnel, and technical support, and to participate in the Joint Monitoring Committee; and (3) play a lead role in creating and deploying an international stabilization force to Liberia. Calls on the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to: (1) commit to providing humanitarian assistance to the people of Liberia; (2) focus on the most vulnerable populations, including internally displaced persons and war-affected persons in Monrovia; and (3) coordinate relief efforts with national and international nongovernmental organizations and other donors. Calls on the international community to: (1) support humanitarian efforts to meet the urgent and dire needs of the Liberian people; (2) support efforts that advance the development of democratic civil institutions in Liberia; and (3) assist in the establishment of a government that respects the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence of its neighbors. Calls upon Liberian indigenous private and voluntary organizations active in local grassroots rehabilitation, reconstruction, and development efforts and Liberians living overseas to engage fully in the international efforts to help restore Liberia as a viable country in which present and future generations can live peacefully. Calls upon the United Nations to: (1) provide peacekeeping troops to enforce the Ceasefire Agreement, protect humanitarian efforts, and maintain a stable transitional environment; and (2) provide adequate repatriation packages for refugees and resettlement packages for internally displaced persons.
Bill· HRH.R. 2659 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 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.
Law· HRH.R. 2658 (108th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 2 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 the Overseas Contingency Operations Transfer Account, 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; (5) revolving and management funds; (6) the Defense Health Program; (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; and (12) 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. Reduces the total amount appropriated in this Act to: (1) reduce excess funded carryover; (2) reduce cost growth in information technology development; (3) reflect cash balance and rate stabilization adjustments in the DOD Working Capital Fund and the DOD Transportation Working Capital Fund; (4) reflect savings attributable to improvements in the management of advisory and assistance services contracted by the military departments; and (5) reflect savings attributable to efficiencies and management improvements in the funding of miscellaneous or other contracts in military departments. Prohibits the use of funds in this Act for research, development, test, evaluation, procurement or deployment of nuclear armed interceptors of a missile defense system. Requires specific authorization by law from Congress for the deployment or implementation of the Terrorism Information Awareness program or any component, if and when research and development permit such deployment or implementation.
Bill· SS. 1358 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2003
Federal Employee Protection of Disclosures Act - Includes as a protected disclosure by a Federal employee: (1) any lawful disclosure an employee or applicant reasonably believes is credible evidence of waste, abuse, or gross mismanagement, without restriction as to time, place, form, motive, context, or prior disclosure; and (2) the disclosure of information required to be kept secret in the interest of national defense or the conduct of foreign affairs that the employee or applicant reasonably believes is direct evidence of waste, abuse, or gross mismanagement if such disclosure is made to a Member or employee of Congress who is authorized to receive information of the type disclosed. Sets forth provisions concerning review and appeal of actions concerning such disclosures. Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to provide that, for purposes of provisions regarding the protection of voluntarily shared critical infrastructure information, a permissible use of independently obtained critical infrastructure information includes any lawful disclosure an employee or applicant reasonably believes is credible evidence of waste, fraud, abuse, or gross mismanagement, without restriction as to time, place, form, motive, context, or prior disclosure. Requires agencies to inform employees on how to make a lawful disclosure of information.
Bill· SS. 1357 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2003
Military Construction Appropriations Act, 2004 - Appropriates funds for FY 2004 for military construction, family housing, and base realignment and closure functions administered by the Department of Defense (DOD), namely: (1) military construction for the Army, Navy, and Air Force, DOD, the Army and Air National Guards, and the Army, Naval, and Air Force reserves; (2) the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Security Investment Program; (3) family housing and related operation and maintenance for the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force; (4) family housing construction and operation and maintenance, defense-wide; (5) the Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund; and (6) the Department of Defense Base Closure Account 1990. Specifies restrictions and authorizations regarding the use of funds appropriated in this Act and in other military construction appropriations Acts. Directs the Secretary of Defense to notify the appropriate congressional committees 30 days in advance of the plans and scope of any military exercise involving U.S. personnel if construction costs are anticipated to exceed $100,000. Provides for the transfer of lapsed unobligated military construction and family housing funds into the Foreign Currency Fluctuations, Defense account. Directs the Secretary to report to the congressional appropriations committees on actions proposed by DOD to encourage other member nations of NATO, Japan, Korea, and other U.S. allies in the Arabian Gulf to assume a greater share of the common defense burden of such nations and the United States. Prohibits this Act's funds from being obligated for Partnership for Peace programs in the new independent states of the former Soviet Union. Requires the Secretary of the military department concerned, before issuing any solicitation for a contract with the private sector for military family housing, to notify the congressional defense committees of any guarantee (including the making of mortgage or rental payments, and the extent and likelihood of Federal liability) proposed to be made by the Secretary to the private party under the contract involved in the event of: (1) the closure or realignment of the installation for which housing is provided under the contract; (2) a reduction in force of units stationed at such installation; or (3) the extended deployment overseas of units stationed at such installation. Prohibits the obligation or expenditure for missile defense studies of any funds appropriated for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program. Establishes the Commission on the Review of the Overseas Military Facility Structure of the United States to study and report to the President and Congress on matters relating to the U.S. military facility structure overseas.
Bill· SS. 1360 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2003
Provides that, if a veteran claimant's filing of a notice of disagreement (a notice of the belief that a veteran's claim decision by the Department of Veterans Affairs is incorrect, together with a request for its appeal) meets minimum statutory requirements, then the notice will be deemed a notice of disagreement with full rights of appeal through the Board of Veterans' Appeals and the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, notwithstanding its rejection by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Allows for the reevaluation of notices which were found to be defective during the period beginning on March 15, 2002, and ending on the date of enactment of this Act.
Bill· SS. 1356 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 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. Department of Health and Human Services Appropriations Act, 2004 - 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) children and families services programs; (15) promoting safe and stable families, through family preservation and support; (16) payments to States for foster care and adoption assistance; (17) the Administration on Aging; (18) the Office of the Secretary for general departmental management; (19) the Office of Inspector General; (20) the Office for Civil Rights; (21) policy research; (22) retirement pay and medical benefits for Public Health Service commissioned officers, and medical care of dependents and retired personnel; and (23) the public health and social services emergency fund, for expenses related to countering potential biological, disease, and chemical threats to civilian populations. 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 (and sets 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 Educational Goals Panel; (11) National Labor Relations Board; (12) National Mediation Board; (13) Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission; (14) Railroad Retirement Board for the dual benefits payments account, Federal payments to the railroad retirement accounts, administration, and the Office of Inspector General; (15) Social Security Administration for payments to the Social Security trust funds, special benefits for disabled coal miners, the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program, administrative expenses, and the Office of Inspector General; and (16) U.S. Institute of Peace.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 190 (108th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2003
Commends General Eric Shinseki (the U.S. Army's 34th Chief of Staff who retired from active military duty in June 2003 after 37 years of service) for his dedication to service and for his lifetime of commitment to excellence.
Bill· HRH.R. 2612 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2003
Veterans Adapted Housing Expansion Act of 2003 - Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide specially adapted housing assistance to veterans with permanent and total service-connected disabilities due to the loss, or loss of use of, both upper extremities so as to preclude use of the arms at or below the elbows. Requires the Secretary to provide such assistance to veterans with permanent and total service-connected disabilities if the disability either: (1) is due to blindness in both eyes with 5/200 visual acuity or less; or (2) includes the anatomical loss, or loss of use of, both hands.
Bill· HRH.R. 2611 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2003
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to exempt from the windfall elimination requirement of such title individuals who are entitled to retired pay based on at least 20 years of service as a member of a uniformed service.
Bill· HRH.R. 2647 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2003
Nuclear Disarmament and Economic Conversion Act of 2003 - Requires the U.S. Government to: (1) disable and dismantle all its nuclear weapons and refrain from replacing them at any time with weapons of mass destruction; (2) undertake vigorous good faith efforts to eliminate war, armed conflict, and all military operations; (3) actively promote policies to induce all other countries to join in these commitments for world peace and security; and (4) redirect resources that are currently being used for nuclear weapons programs to constructive, ecologically beneficial peacetime activities and to address human and infrastructure needs such as housing, health care, education, agriculture, and environmental protection. Makes this Act effective when the President certifies to Congress that all foreign countries possessing nuclear weapons have established legal requirements comparable to those set forth in this Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 2618 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 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) adminisrative expenses for 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. Department of Health and Human Services Appropriations Act, 2004 - 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, including payments to survivors and medical care of active duty and retired members and dependents and beneficiaries; and (24) the public health and social services emergency fund, for expenses related to countering potential biological, disease, and chemical threats to civilian populations. 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 (and sets 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 Educational Goals Panel; (11) National Labor Relations Board; (12) National Mediation Board; (13) Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission; (14) Railroad Retirement Board for the dual benefits payments account, Federal payments to the railroad retirement accounts, administration, and the Office of Inspector General; (15) 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 (16) U.S. Institute of Peace.
Bill· HRH.R. 2625 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2003
Creates the Independent Commission on Intelligence about Iraq. Gives the Commission responsibility for: (1) evaluating executive branch intelligence collection, assessment, and representations concerning the threats posed by Iraq; (2) evaluating the effectiveness of collaborative arrangements between the United States and others in assessing such threats; (3) examining the extent to which Congress has imposed restrictions that have hampered the efforts of the intelligence community; (4) reviewing the work of other investigations; and (5) reporting its findings, conclusions, and recommendations to Congress and the President.
Bill· HRH.R. 2616 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2003
Winning the Peace Act of 2003 - Authorizes the President to designate a Director of Reconstruction for, and to provide assistance for reconstruction services for, each country or region in which the U.S. armed forces have engaged in armed conflict or which will receive reconstruction services from the U.S. Government due to armed conflict. Gives the Director authority over all reconstruction activities of the U.S. Government within the country or region of operation. Authorizes the Secretary of State to establish a permanent office to provide support to each Director. Authorizes the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to establish an Office of International Emergency Management to: (1) maintain a database of entities with expertise in providing reconstruction services; and (2) provide support for mobilizing such entities to provide services requested by a country or region Director. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretaries of State and Defense should propose to establish within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) an Integrated Security Support Component to prepare NATO units for reconstruction-related security tasks. Authorizes the President to commit U.S. personnel to such a Component. Requires the Secretary of State to establish an interagency Training Center for Post-Conflict Reconstruction Operations. Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should: (1) establish a task force to implement a reserve force of law enforcement officers willing to provide reconstruction services overseas; and (2) direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to review immigration rules for aliens admitted for permanent residence who wish to participate in return of talent programs in their country of origin. Establishes a U.S. Security Development Fund.
Bill· HRH.R. 2595 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2003
Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in carrying out the pilot program to make direct housing loans to Native American veterans, to do so during FY 2003 at the FY 2002 level, without regard to a certain proviso in title I of the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2003. Treats such proviso as being of no force or effect. Ratifies any action taken by the Secretary before the enactment of this Act that is inconsistent with such proviso.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 298 (108th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2003
Sets forth the rule for the consideration of H.R. 2559 (FY 2004 military construction appropriations).
Bill· SS. 1317 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2003
Amends the American Servicemembers' Protection Act of 2002 to exempt a country that has concluded a protocol for its accession to NATO from the prohibition against the provision of U.S. military assistance to a country that is a party to the International Criminal Court.
Bill· HRH.R. 2593 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2003
Combat Merchant Mariners Veterans Benefits Act of 2003 - Provides that: (1) qualifying service in the U.S. merchant marine during a period of war for a total period equal to at least 12 months shall be considered active duty in determining eligibility for veterans' benefits; and (2) such service may be verified by entries in a continuous discharge book, a certificate of discharge to merchant seamen, a certificate of substantially continuous service, or other documentation available from the Secretary of Transportation or the head of any other Federal agency.
Bill· HRH.R. 2569 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2003
Salute to Veterans and the Armed Forces Act of 2003 - Allows the full payment of military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation, without deduction from either (current law), without the enactment of qualifying offsetting legislation. Repeals: (1) special compensation programs for certain severely disabled and combat-disabled military retirees; and (2) provisions requiring a dependency and indemnity compensation offset from surviving spouse annuities under the Survivor Benefit Plan. Increases the amount of basic educational assistance for members of the Selected Reserve. Directs the Secretary of Defense, for fiscal years after 2005, to provide a percentage increase in the higher learning cost index for determining basic educational assistance amounts. Directs the Secretary to pay a bonus to members who, at any time during service under Operations Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom, satisfied eligibility requirements for the receipt of special pay for duty subject to hostile fire or imminent danger. Directs the Secretary of Homeland to provide such bonus to qualifying Coast Guard members. Authorizes additional appropriations for veterans' improved access to medical care. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make interim payments under claims for veterans' benefits when the final decision regarding the payment of such benefits is delayed following remand by the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims or the Board for Veterans' Appeals to the Secretary for expedited consideration. Prohibits with respect to veterans: (1) increases in medication copayments; and (2) the imposition of health care enrollment fees. Requires the: (1) Secretaries of Veterans Affairs and Labor to provide appropriate information concerning veterans' benefits and employment opportunities; and (2) Secretary of Veterans Affairs to prepare an annual plan for the conduct of veterans' outreach activities. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to place the maximum individual income tax rate at 38.6 percent.
Bill· HRH.R. 2587 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2003
Directs the Secretary of the military department concerned to issue a Combat Medevac Badge to each person who served in combat on or after June 25, 1950, as a pilot or crew member of a helicopter medical evacuation ambulance.
Bill· HRH.R. 2576 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2003
National Heroes Credit Protection Act - Amends the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940 to require any consumer credit information entity that receives from a creditor a negative report of nonpayment or late payment with respect to the account of a person in military service to enter a notation that the account is delinquent or paid slowly due to military service. Requires any future potential creditor that receives a credit report that includes such a notation to disregard any negative information so noted.
Law· HRH.R. 2559 (108th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2003
Military Construction Appropriations Act, 2004 - Appropriates funds for FY 2004 for military construction, family housing, and base realignment and closure functions administered by the Department of Defense (DOD), namely: (1) military construction for the Army, Navy, and Air Force, DOD, the Army and Air National Guards, and the Army, Naval, and Air Force reserves; (2) the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Security Investment Program; (3) family housing and related operation and maintenance for the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force; (4) family housing construction and operation and maintenance, defense-wide; (5) the Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund; and (6) the Department of Defense Base Closure Account 1990. Specifies restrictions and authorizations regarding the use of funds appropriated in this Act and in other military construction appropriations Acts. Directs the Secretary of Defense to notify the appropriate congressional committees 30 days in advance of the plans and scope of any military exercise involving U.S. personnel if construction costs are anticipated to exceed $100,000. Provides for the transfer of lapsed unobligated military construction and family housing funds into the Foreign Currency Fluctuations, Defense account. Directs the Secretary to report to the congressional appropriations committees on actions proposed by DOD to encourage other member nations of NATO, Japan, Korea, and other U.S. allies in the Arabian Gulf to assume a greater share of the common defense burden of such nations and the United States. Prohibits this Act's funds from being obligated for Partnership for Peace programs in the new independent states of the former Soviet Union. Requires a specified certification from the Secretary prior to the obligation of funds for projects at Camp Humphreys in the Republic of Korea.
Bill· HRH.R. 2518 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2003
Veterans Affairs Reorganization Act of 2003 - Establishes in the Department of Veterans Affairs an Office of Homeless Veterans Assistance Programs. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, through the Office Director, to carry out all Department homeless veterans assistance functions and programs. Transfers to the Secretary all functions of the Secretary of Labor under the homeless veterans reintegration program and requires the Secretary to carry out such functions through the Office. Directs the Archivist of the United States to transfer to the Secretary operational responsibility for the Military Personnel Records facility of the National Personnel Records Center, St. Louis, Missouri.
Bill· HRH.R. 2550 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2003
Amends the American Servicemembers' Protection Act of 2002 to exempt a country that has concluded a protocol for its accession to NATO from the prohibition against the provision of U.S. military assistance to a country that is a party to the International Criminal Court.
Bill· HRH.R. 2540 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2003
Fairness to All Vietnam Veterans Act - Directs the Secretary of Defense to study and report to Congress: (1) to identify veterans who died after October 31, 1955, as a result of military operations in southeast Asia whose names are not eligible for inscription on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial; and (2) on the feasibility and equitability of revising the eligibility requirements to be more inclusive of such veterans or of creating an alternative means for recognizing them, including alternatives involving an education center at the Memorial.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 291 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2003
Requests the President to inform Congress and the Secretary General of the United Nations (UN) regarding U.S. efforts and measures taken with respect to implementation and observance of Article VI of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and certain UN resolutions calling for U.S. and world nuclear disarmament. Calls on the President to implement and observe all NPT obligations and commitments and to revise national policies on nuclear weapons accordingly. Urges the President, in the interests of protecting and advancing human, national, and global security, to: (1) declare unconditionally that the United States will not use nuclear weapons first, and that pending their elimination, such weapons serve only to deter a nuclear attack by a hostile state or other entity; (2) initiate and conclude multilateral negotiations on verifiable steps nuclear states, including the United States, shall take to reduce and eventually eliminate nuclear weapons; (3) cooperate with the Russian Federation to remove from deployment nuclear weapons that are operational; (4) reaffirm the moratorium on nuclear testing and work for ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty; and (5) terminate all efforts to enhance U.S. military capabilities of the U.S. nuclear arsenal and to develop ballistic missile defenses.
Bill· SS. 1283 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 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.
Bill· SS. 1282 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2003
Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to: (1) identify the ten burial service areas in the United States that are most in need of a new national cemetery in order to ensure that 90 percent of the veterans who reside in each such area live within 75 miles of a national cemetery; (2) establish a national cemetery in each identified area; and (3) carry out advance planning in FY 2004 for the establishment of such cemeteries.
Bill· SS. 1281 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2003
Veterans Information and Benefits Enhancement Act of 2003 - Includes the following among the diseases to be considered service-connected, and therefore compensable through the Department of Veterans Affairs, when suffered by a veteran who is a former prisoner of war who was detained or interned for at least 30 days: (1) cardiovascular (heart) disease; (2) cerebrovascular disease (stroke); or (3) chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis and primary liver carcinoma. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Secretary) and the Secretary of Defense to jointly conduct a review of the mission, procedures, and administration of the Dose Reconstruction Program of the Department of Defense. Requires appointment of an advisory board for Program review and oversight. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study to determine the appropriate disposition of the Air Force Health Study, an epidemiologic study of Air Force personnel responsible for conducting aerial herbicide spray missions during the Vietnam era. Requires the Secretaries to make specified funds available to the National Academy of Sciences in each of FY 2004 through 2013 for the Academy's Medical Follow-Up Agency of the Institute of Medicine to conduct epidemiological research on military personnel and veterans.
Bill· HRH.R. 2511 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2003
Directs the Secretary of Defense to permit a former member of the armed forces who is entitled to compensation for a service-connected disability rated as total to travel on unscheduled military flights within the continental United States and on scheduled overseas flights operated by the Air Mobility Command to the same extent as retired members of the armed forces.
Bill· HRH.R. 2475 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 2003
Veterans Health Care Full Funding Act - Requires each fiscal year budget submitted to Congress by the President to include requests for amounts for veterans health care programs. Requires amounts appropriated for such programs to be available for two consecutive fiscal years. Establishes the Veterans Health Care Funding Review Board within the Department of Veterans Affairs. Directs the Board, beginning with FY 2005, to determine the level of funding needed for such programs for that fiscal year and the next and to publish such determination in the Federal Register. Outlines veterans' health care needs factors to be considered by the Board in arriving at such determination. Repeals requirements for certain congressional notifications in connection with a funding request for a Department major medical facility project or lease. Provides a 30-day standard for access to medical care for veterans seeking primary or specialized care, as measured from: (1) the time the veteran contacts the Department seeking an appointment until the date a visit is completed (primary care); and (2) the date on which the veteran is referred to a specialist until the date a visit is completed (specialty care). Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop a standard of waiting time during a visit and to periodically review the performance of Department facilities compared to that standard.
Bill· SS. 1262 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2003
Maritime Administration Authorization Act of 2003 - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2006 to the Secretary of Transportation for the Maritime Administration. Amends the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 with respect to: (1) conveyance of obsolete vessels in the National Defense Reserve Fleet; (2) cargo preference and treatment of certain tank vessels under construction as privately owned U.S.-flag commercial vessels; (3) equity payments by an obligor for disbursement before termination of an escrow agreement; (4) waivers of certain program requirements; (5) project monitoring; (6) defaults; (7) loan guarantees, including a 270-day decision on approval or denial of a loan guarantee application; (8) war risk insurance; and (9) maritime education and training. Directs the Secretary to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the human capital and other resource needs in connection with the loan guarantee program. Amends other Federal law with respect to: (1) the prohibition against carrying government impelled cargoes for vessels with substandard security measures; (2) the authority to convey obsolete vessels to U.S. territories and foreign countries for reefing; and (3) maintenance of current Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation safety responsbilities. Authorizes the Maritime Administration to deposit into its operations and training account and use the amount it received as insurance proceeds as a result of a specified fire at the United States Merchant Marine Academy, Fitch Building. Declares that the Vessel Operations Revolving Fund shall be credited with amounts received by the United States from final judgments and dispute settlements that arise from the operation of vessels in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, including the Ready Reserve Force.
Bill· SS. 1249 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2003
The TRICARE Retirees Opportunity Act of 2003 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to: (1) waive the part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) late enrollment penalty for certain military retirees who enroll by December 31, 2004; and (2) provide a special part B enrollment period for such retirees.
Law· HRH.R. 2443 (108th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2003
Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2003 - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 for the Coast Guard (CG). Sets forth authorized FY 2004 levels of CG active duty military personnel and average military training student loads. Revises specified requirements relating to CG management. Amends the Ports and Waterways Safety Act (PWSA) to authorize the Secretary of the Department in which the CG is operating (the CG Secretary) to prohibit the use on the bridge of vessels of certain electric and electronic devices that interfere with communications or navigation equipment, if the CG determines they pose a threat to the safety of vessels. Allows removal of the Inland Navigation Rules from Federal statutory law if the CG Secretary promulgates Inland Navigation Rules through a regulatory proceeding and such regulations become effective. Allows suspension as an alternative to the currently required revocation of a merchant mariner's credentials (MMC) in cases of dangerous drug convictions. Requires foreign flag vessels departing and returning to the same U.S. port, or returning to another port under U.S. jurisdiction, to comply with the International Safety Management Code when any part of the voyage occurs on the high seas. Increases maximum civil penalties for failure to comply with recreational vessel and associated equipment safety standards. Extends such penalties to wrongful labeling and failure to notify of a recall. Authorizes suspension or revocation of MMC if the mariner commits an act of incompetence whether or not the mariner is acting under the authority of the MMC at the time the act occurs. Adds security threat as a basis for which the Secretary may suspend or revoke an MMC. Authorizes the CG Secretary to prescribe maximum hours of service for individuals engaged on a towing vessel that is required to have a licensed operator under specified Federal law. Requires shipboard automatic identification systems to include electronic charts and related displays. Authorizes the CG to conduct examinations to ensure that a passenger vessel calling on a U.S. port complies with the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, if a U.S. citizen passenger is aboard, and to prevent such vessel's departure in cases of noncompliance. Increases civil penalties for violations of certain Federal laws and regulations relating to bridges.
Bill· HRH.R. 2463 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2003
Prohibits any contract for which the time of performance exceeds three days from being awarded for work at a Department of Defense facility or installation unless the contractor implements procedures under which a background investigation, psychological assessment, and behavioral observation is conducted, and fingerprint cards are provided, for any individual performing such work.
Bill· HRH.R. 2445 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2003
Veterans Nursing Home Care Act of 2003 - Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide nursing home care to: (1) any veteran for a service-connected disability (current law); and (2) any veteran in need of such care who has a service-connected disability rated at ten (currently 70) percent or more. Eliminates the termination date for such requirement (December 31, 2003).
Bill· SS. 1239 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2003
Former Prisoners of War Special Compensation Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to pay special monthly compensation to each veteran who is a former prisoner of war and was detained or interned for at least 30 days. Provides various rates of payment, ranging from $150 for those detained for between 30 and 120 days to a maximum of $450 for those detained more than 540 days. States that such special compensation shall: (1) be in addition to any other authorized payments; and (2) shall not be considered income for purposes of eligibility under any Federal or federally assisted program. Prohibits the payment of veterans' disability compensation for any alcohol- or drug-related disability even if the abuse is secondary to a service-connected disability. Removes the requirement that former prisoners of war must have been detained or interned for at least 90 days in order to be eligible for veterans' outpatient dental care.
Bill· SS. 1235 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2003
Winning the Peace Act of 2003 - Authorizes the President to designate a civilian Director of Reconstruction for each country or region in which: (1) units of the U.S. Armed Forces have engaged in armed conflict; or (2) as a result of armed conflict, the country or region will receive reconstruction services from the U.S. Government. Authorizes the President to provide reconstruction services for any country or region for which such Director has been designated. Authorizes the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development to establish an Office of International Emergency Management for such reconstruction services. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense should present to the North Atlantic Council a proposal to establish within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) an Integrated Security Support Component to train and equip selected units within NATO to assist in providing security in countries or regions requiring reconstruction services; and (2) if such a Component is established, the President should commit U.S. personnel to participate in it, after appropriate consultation with Congress. Authorizes the President to commit U.S. personnel to participate in an Integrated Security Support Component if the North Atlantic Council establishes one. Instructs the Secretary of State to establish within the Department of State an interagency Training Center for Post-Conflict Reconstruction Operations.
Bill· HRH.R. 2433 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2003
Health Care for Veterans of Project 112/Project SHAD Act of 2003 - Makes a veteran who participated in a test conducted by the Department of Defense Deseret Test Center as part of a program for chemical and biological warfare testing from 1962 through 1973 (including the program designated as Project Shipboard Hazard and Defense (SHAD) and related land-based tests) eligible for hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care through the Department of Veterans Affairs for any illness, notwithstanding that there is insufficient medical evidence to conclude that such illness is attributable to such testing. Terminates such eligibility after December 31, 2005.
Bill· HRH.R. 2428 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2003
Military Tribunal Regulations Review Act - Requires the President, before a military tribunal rule takes effect, to submit to Congress a report containing: (1) a copy of the rule; (2) a concise statement relating to the rule; and (3) its proposed effective date. Sets forth congressional procedures for rule disapproval by joint resolution. Directs the President to submit to Congress periodic reports on the activities of each military tribunal.
Bill· HRH.R. 2429 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2003
Surveillance Oversight Act and Disclosure Act of 2003 - Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) to authorize courts established to hear applications, grant orders, and review denials regarding electronic surveillance to establish rules and procedures and take actions necessary to administer their responsibilities under FISA. Directs that such rules and procedures be transmitted to the judges on such courts, the Chief Justice of the United States, and specified congressional committees. Requires the Attorney General to issue a public report annually on the aggregate number of U.S. persons targeted for FISA orders, the aggregate number of applications for orders for U.S. persons and for all persons without regard to nationality, and the number of times that the Attorney General has authorized that such information be used in a criminal proceeding. Amends: (1) the Federal criminal code to require that the semiannual report of the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to the intelligence and judiciary committees concerning requests for access to telephone and transactional records include a separate statement of requests made of institutions operating as public libraries or serving as libraries of secondary schools or institutions of higher education; (2) the Right to Financial Privacy Act of 1978 to require that the Attorney General's semiannual report regarding requests for financial records go to the judiciary committees; and (3) the Fair Credit Reporting Act to require that the Attorney General's semiannual report regarding disclosures by credit reporting agencies to the FBI be made to the judiciary committees.
Law· HRH.R. 2417 (108th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2003
Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 for the conduct of intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the: (1) Central Intelligence Agency; (2) Department of Defense; (3) Defense Intelligence Agency; (4) National Security Agency; (5) National Reconnaissance Office; (6) National Imagery and Mapping Agency; (7) Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force; (8) Departments of State, the Treasury, Energy, and Justice; (9) Federal Bureau of Investigation; (10) Department of Homeland Security; and (11) Coast Guard. Specifies that the amounts authorized and the authorized personnel ceilings as of September 30, 2004, for such activities are those specified in the classified Schedule of Authorizations, which shall be made available to the Senate and House Appropriations Committees and the President. Allows the Director of Central Intelligence (DCI), with the approval of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, to authorize employment of civilian personnel in excess of the number authorized for FY 2004 (by not more than two percent) when necessary to the performance of important intelligence functions. Requires notification of the congressional intelligence committees. Authorizes appropriations for the Intelligence Community Management Account for FY 2004, as well as for full-time personnel for elements within such Account. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 for the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability Fund. Specifies that the authorization of appropriations by this Act shall not be deemed to constitute authority for the conduct of any intelligence activity which is not otherwise permitted by the Constitution or laws of the United States.
Bill· SS. 1229 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2003
Federal Employee Protection of Disclosures Act - Includes as a protected disclosure by a Federal employee any lawful disclosure an employee or applicant reasonably believes is credible evidence of waste, fraud, abuse, or gross mismanagement, without restriction as to time, place, form, motive, context, or prior disclosure. Allows a presumption relating to the performance of a duty by an employee to be rebutted by substantial evidence. Requires each non-disclosure policy, form, or agreement to contain a statement that the restrictions are consistent with and do not supersede specified employee obligations, rights, or liabilities. Authorizes the Merit Systems Protection Board or any reviewing court, in any appeal relating to a suspension or other action relating to a security clearance, to determine whether there was a violation of prohibited personnel practices. Prohibits the Board from ordering the President to restore the clearance, but authorizes the Board to issue declaratory and other appropriate relief. Authorizes the Board to impose disciplinary action, a civil penalty, or a combination against employees found to have committed a prohibited personnel practice. Requires each agency to establish a process for providing confidential advice to employees on making lawful disclosures to Congress of information required to be kept secret in the interests of national defense or the conduct of foreign affairs. Permits representation by attorneys for the Office of the Special Counsel in civil actions brought in connection with such disclosures of information or provisions relating to political activities. Authorizes the Office of Personnel Management to obtain judicial review of Board decisions. Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to provide that, for purposes of provisions regarding the protection of voluntarily shared critical infrastructure information, a permissible use of independently obtained critical infrastructure information includes any lawful disclosure an employee or applicant reasonably believes is credible evidence of waste, fraud, abuse, or gross mismanagement, without restriction as to time, place, form, motive, context, or prior disclosure.
Bill· HRH.R. 2414 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2003
Department of Veterans Affairs Chiropractic Employment Act - Authorizes the appointment of, and provision of medical care by, chiropractors within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Includes chiropractors within VHA provisions concerning: (1) qualifications of appointees, periods of appointment, and pay grades; (2) temporary and part-time appointments; (3) residencies and internships; (4) malpractice and negligence protection; (5) treatment as scarce medical specialists for contracting purposes; (6) reimbursement for continuing professional education expenses; and (7) collective bargaining exemptions.
Bill· HRH.R. 2413 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2003
National Guard and Reserves Reform Act for the 21st Century - Makes an individual eligible for retired pay for non-regular (reserve) military service if such individual: (1) satisfies one of specified combinations of minimum age (between 55 and 60) and years of service (between 20 and 30); (2) performed the last six years of qualifying service in currently authorized categories of military service, but not while a member of a regular component, the Fleet Reserve, or the Fleet Marine Corps Reserve; and (3) is not entitled to any other retirement pay from an armed force or as a member of the Fleet Reserves. Authorizes a member of the Selected Reserve to enroll for self or for self and family under the TRICARE program (a Department of Defense managed health care program). Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a reserve component employment credit equal to the sum of the employment credit with respect to all qualified employees of the taxpayer and the self-employment credit of a qualified self-employed taxpayer. Limits the credit to $25,000 for each qualified employee. Disallows the credit for failure to comply with reserve member employment or reemployment rights, or when a reserve member is called or ordered to active duty for training.
Bill· HRH.R. 2398 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2003
Guardsmen and Reservist Retirement Age Act of 2003 - Makes an individual eligible for retired pay for non-regular (reserve) military service if such individual: (1) satisfies one of the combinations of minimum age (between 53 and 60) and years of service (between 34 and 20); (2) performed the last six years of qualifying service in currently authorized categories of military service, but not while a member of a regular component, the Fleet Reserve, or the Fleet Marine Corps Reserve (with an exception); and (3) is not entitled to any other retirement pay from an armed force or as a member of the Fleet Reserves.
Bill· SS. 1213 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2003
Filipino Veterans' Benefits Act of 2003 - Requires (current law authorizes) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish hospital and nursing home care and medical services to any individual who is a Commonwealth Army veteran or new Philippine Scout (current law) and who is: (1) residing in the United States; and (2) a U.S. citizen or alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence. Provides a rate of payment equal to the rate provided for active-service veterans and their survivors for dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of Commonwealth Army veterans or new Philippine Scouts. Extends through 2008 the authority to operate a Department of Veterans Affairs regional office in the Republic of the Philippines. Provides national cemetery burial benefits for new Philippine Scouts residing in the United States.
Bill· HRH.R. 2393 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2003
Continued Benefits for Injured Military Spouses Act - Entitles to military health care and commissary and exchange benefits the unremarried former spouse of a member of the armed forces who performed at least 20 years of service creditable for retired pay if such spouse: (1) had been married to such member for at least 20 years on the date of divorce or annullment, of which at least ten years were during the period when the member was performing such service; and (2) sought a divorce or annullment due in whole or part to domestic violence involving that person or a child of that person that is substantiated by counseling or medical records, or to other circumstances that constitute unbearable conditions.
Bill· SS. 1188 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2003
Veterans' Survivor Benefits Act of 2003 - Repeals the limitation (benefits due and unpaid for not to exceed two years) on the accrued benefits required to be paid by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs upon the death of a veteran or other beneficiary. Provides that, upon the death of a child claiming benefits as a child of a Vietnam veteran, such benefits shall be paid to the surviving parents. Authorizes the substitution of any of the following parties in the case of a veteran's claim for benefits provided through the Department of Veterans Affairs when the original claimant dies while the claim is pending: (1) the surviving spouse; (2) the custodian of a surviving minor or incapable child; (3) a child between 18 and 21 years of age pursuing a program of education; (4) a dependent parent; or (5) in the case of the death of a child claiming benefits as a child of a Vietnam veteran, a surviving parent. Authorizes the substitution of the above eligible parties in cases pending before a U.S. Circuit Court or the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.