MEJA Expansion and Enforcement Act of 2007

Bill: 110-hr-2740
Sponsor: Rep. Price, David E. [D-NC-4]
Introduced: 2007-06-15 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Americans in foreign countries
Armed Forces and National Security
Armed forces abroad
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Criminal investigation
Government Operations and Politics
Government contractors
Governmental investigations
Iraq compilation
Military operations
Private police
Prosecution

Summary:
action_date: 2007-06-15
text: 
MEJA Expansion and Enforcement Act of 2007 - Provides that persons who, while employed under a federal agency contract in a region outside the United States in which the Armed Forces are conducting a contingency operation, engage in conduct that would constitute an offense punishable by imprisonment for more than one year if engaged in within U.S. jurisdiction shall be punished as provided for that offense.
 
Requires the Inspector General of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to report to Congress on the status of the Department's investigations of abuses alleged to have been committed by contract personnel and findings and recommendations about the Department's capacity and effectiveness in prosecuting misconduct by contract personnel.
 
Requires the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to establish a Theater Investigative Unit for each theater of operations established in connection with a contingency operation in which contract personnel are carrying out work under a covered contract, to be responsible for investigating allegations of criminal misconduct by such personnel.

action_date: 2007-09-27
text: 
MEJA Expansion and Enforcement Act of 2007 - Provides that persons who, while employed under a federal agency contract in, or in close proximity to, an area where the Armed Forces are conducting a contingency operation, engage in conduct that would constitute an offense punishable by imprisonment for more than one year if engaged in within U.S. jurisdiction, shall be punished as provided for that offense.

Requires the Inspector General of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to report to Congress on: (1) the status of DOJ's investigations of alleged violations committed by contract personnel; and (2) findings and recommendations about the number of criminal cases prosecuted by DOJ involving such violations.

Requires the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to ensure that there are adequate personnel, through the creation of Theater Investigative Units, to investigate allegations of such criminal violations by contract personnel. Requires such a Unit to refer a case, if appropriate, to the Attorney General for further action.

Requires: (1) an agency operating in, or in close proximity to, an area where the Armed Forces is conducting a contingency operation to cooperate with and support the activities of such a Unit; and (2) any investigation carried out by such agency's Inspector General to be coordinated with the Unit's activities.

action_date: 2007-10-04
text: 
MEJA Expansion and Enforcement Act of 2007 - Provides that persons who, while employed under a federal agency contract in, or in close proximity to, an area where the Armed Forces are conducting a contingency operation, engage in conduct that would constitute an offense punishable by imprisonment for more than one year if engaged in within U.S. jurisdiction, shall be punished as provided for that offense.

Requires the Inspector General of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to report to Congress on: (1) the status of DOJ's investigations of alleged violations committed by contract personnel; (2) findings and recommendations about the number of criminal cases prosecuted by DOJ involving such violations; and (3) with respect to covered contracts where the work is carried out in Iraq or Afghanistan, a list of each charge brought against contractors or contract personnel and a description of any legal actions taken by the United States as a result of such a criminal charge or a complaint.

Requires the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to ensure that there are adequate personnel, through the creation of Theater Investigative Units, to investigate allegations of such criminal violations by contract personnel. Requires such a Unit to refer a case, if appropriate, to the Attorney General for further action. Requires the Director to request security assistance from the Secretary of Defense in any case in which a Unit does not have the resources or is otherwise unable to provide adequate security to ensure its safety. Authorizes the Attorney General to request assistance from the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or the head of any other agency, including the assignment of additional personnel and resources to a Unit.

Requires the Director to report annually to Congress on the number of reports received by Units relating to suspected criminal misconduct by contractors or to fatalities resulting from the use of force by contractors, the number of cases referred by the Units to the Attorney General for further investigation or action, and any recommended changes to federal law that the Director considers necessary to perform the duties of the Director under this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-10-15
text: Star Print ordered on the bill.
action_date: 2007-10-05
text: Read the second time. Ordered Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 413.
action_date: 2007-10-04
text: Received in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
action_date: 2007-10-04
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2007-10-04
text: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 389 - 30 (Roll no. 940).
action_date: 2007-10-04
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 389 - 30 (Roll no. 940).
action_date: 2007-10-04
text: On motion to recommit with instructions Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 342 - 75 (Roll no. 939). (consideration: CR H11266)
action_date: 2007-10-04
text: The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection. (consideration: CR H11266)
action_date: 2007-10-04
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Forbes motion to recommit with instructions on H.R. 2740. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to not affect intelligence activities that are otherwise permissible prior to the enactment of this Act.
action_date: 2007-10-04
text: Mr. Forbes moved to recommit with instructions to Judiciary. (consideration: CR H11262-11266; text: CR H11262)
action_date: 2007-10-04
text: The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
action_date: 2007-10-04
text: The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. (consideration: CR H11261)
action_date: 2007-10-04
text: The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 2740.
action_date: 2007-10-04
text: The Committee of the Whole adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as amended.
action_date: 2007-10-04
text: The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
action_date: 2007-10-04
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H11261-11267)
action_date: 2007-10-03
text: Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 2740 as unfinished business.
action_date: 2007-10-03
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 702, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Hill (IN) amendment.
action_date: 2007-10-03
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 702, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Schakowsky amendment.
action_date: 2007-10-03
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 702, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Conyers amendment.
action_date: 2007-10-03
text: GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 2740.
action_date: 2007-10-03
text: The Speaker designated the Honorable Ellen O. Tauscher to act as Chairwoman of the Committee.
action_date: 2007-10-03
text: House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 702 and Rule XVIII.
action_date: 2007-10-03
text: Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2740 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on the Judiciary now printed in the bill.
action_date: 2007-10-03
text: Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 702. (consideration: CR H11214-11226; text of measure as reported in House: CR H11222)
action_date: 2007-10-03
text: Rule H. Res. 702 passed House.
action_date: 2007-10-02
text: Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 702 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2740 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on the Judiciary now printed in the bill.
action_date: 2007-09-27
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 217.
action_date: 2007-09-27
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 110-352.
action_date: 2007-09-27
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 110-352.
action_date: 2007-08-02
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2007-08-02
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2007-07-24
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote .
action_date: 2007-07-24
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2007-07-16
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
action_date: 2007-06-15
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2007-06-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2007-06-15
text: Introduced in House